Bayside physiotherapists are preparing for the opening of Redland Hospital's new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) by taking part in specialised training to care for critically ill patients.
Physiotherapists play an important role in ICUs, helping patients breathe easier, preventing problems from staying still for too long, and supporting early movement to speed up recovery.
Our Bayside physiotherapists recently completed an intensive two-day course, Physiotherapy and Critical Care Management (PaCCMan) delivered by Clinical Skills Development Service experts Dr Peter Thomas and Katrina Van Haeringen and which included respiratory techniques, early patient movement, managing complicated cases, and teamwork across healthcare roles.
Director of Physiotherapy Rebecca Kuchler said the training was essential for preparing physiotherapists for the unique and complex challenges of intensive care.
“Physiotherapists make a big difference in ICUs by improving breathing, reducing complications, and getting patients moving as early as safely possible,” she said. “Timely access to quality physiotherapy can mean our patients spend less time in hospital and recover faster.
"Physiotherapists’ involvement early in a patient’s ICU stay is proven to help prevent issues like pneumonia, blood clots, and muscle weakness," Rebecca said. “We want our physios ready from day one to deliver high-quality care in our new ICU,”
Graduate Physiotherapist Claudia Massa said the PaCCMan course provided her with a thorough understanding of all things ICU.
“I found the practical components very beneficial. I now feel confident to perform a physio assessment and treatment within ICU and I am looking forward to our ICU opening,” she said. “I found it very rewarding - the difference physio treatment can make within an ICU setting. The complexity of patients, extensive considerations and number of attachments are certainly a challenge, however the course helped to increase my confidence with managing these things.”
Claudia said her previous experience as a student in an ICU meant there were no major surprises.
“The patients are complex and being able to work within a multidisciplinary team can help improve patient outcomes.”
Before starting her physiotherapy journey, Claudia worked as an Exercise Physiologist in private practice.
“During this time, I developed an interest in acute care, I wanted to expand my skill set and I was looking for my next challenge so I began a Masters in Physiotherapy,” she said.
She said her graduate year at Redland Hospital had been a fantastic experience so far.
“I’m absolutely loving my graduate year at Redland so far. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know not only the physio team but the many other wonderful staff which make up Redland Hospital.”
The training comes ahead of Redland Hospital’s ICU opening, marking the first time the hospital will deliver dedicated Intensive Care services locally.