TPCH History: 2000s

2000

The Mental Health Secure Unit opened in May.

2001

Intra Cardiac Echocardiography commenced.

The Orthopaedic Research Unit was established in September.

2002

The Centre for Excellence in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was named.

Australia’s first Chair of Orthopaedic Research jointly supported by TPCH Foundation, the Australian Orthopaedic Association and QUT.

2003

Australia’s first triple transplant operation was performed.

2005

Australia’s first female triple transplant operation was performed.

2006

The Northside Health Service District was established 1st July.

2008

TPCH Emergency Department expanded capacity to include almost all presentations from the Queensland Ambulance Service.

A Queensland first: the COREVALVE procedure was performed; a percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedure replacing the need for open heart surgery.

The Paediatric Cardiac Service moved to the Mater Children’s Hospital.

The first Adult Congenital Heart Disease unit in Queensland was officially opened on Friday 22^nd February.

The Indigenous Cardiac Outreach Service was established to treat patients in remote communities.

The Metro North Health Service District was established September.

The Queensland University of Technology Medical Engineering Research Facility (MERF) was officially opened on the 16th September with a primary focus on orthopaedics, trauma, and artificial organs.

2009

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) arrived in March (TPCH quickly became specialists in the use of ECMO during the H1N1 Swine Flu outbreak).

Theatre 4 opened in May as a new hybrid integrated operating suite – the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere.  The first case was performed in June.

Hybrid Operating Theatre

The Preadmission Clinic for general surgery and orthopaedics became operational.

The Day Unit Investigation Therapy (DUIT) opened in May to meet the needs of patients who require inpatient interventions but do not need an overnight stay.

The Early-Assessment Medical Unit (EMU) opened in May to improve patient outcomes and reduce the length of stay in the emergency department.

The new General Medical and General Surgical units were fully operational in April providing local people with better access to these services.

The TPCH and Allied Community Service Research Council was established in June (known as TPCH Research Council).

The oval or “cricket pitch” which doubled as a helipad was officially transformed into a purpose built helipad.

The Patient Journey Board was developed as a new innovation for the Early Assessment Medical Unit and has since been awarded the Queensland Premiers Award in 2011 for Excellence in Public Service Delivery.