Mobile pathology laboratory (Australian army)

Abstract

The Royal Australian Army Medical Corps has amongst its deployable medical facilities mobile field hospitals. The primary role of a field hospital is to provide the first formal surgery and treatment of the seriously ill or injured wherever required. Aside from military operations, field hospitals are a deployable asset for the Government to use in disaster relief. The 1st Field Hospital based at Inglebum NSW has mobile operating theatres, high dependency unit, wards (4 by 55 bed), radiography and pathology, as well as support services. The field pathology laboratory is housed in a purpose-built rigid, expandable shelter which in its non-expanded mode conforms to ISO specifications. The laboratory has its own donor blood collection section to augment blood supplies in the field. Major analytical equipment includes an ABL 30 blood gas analyser, Kodak Ektachem DT60 biochemistry analyser and Sysmex F500 haematology analyser. Standard methods are used for crossmatching, coagulation and microbiology. Blood refrigerators which operate from a variety of voltages allow for the safe transportation and storage of blood worldwide. The laboratory is air portable and together with the entire field hospital can be readily deployed when required. The 1st Field Hospital field laboratory has NATA/RCPA registration. The Royal Australian Army Medical Corps has amongst its deployable medical facilities mobile field hospitals. The primary role of a field hospital is to provide the first formal surgery and treatment of the seriously ill or injured wherever required. Aside from military operations, field hospitals are a deployable asset for the Government to use in disaster relief. The 1st Field Hospital based at Inglebum NSW has mobile operating theatres, high dependency unit, wards (4 by 55 bed), radiography and pathology, as well as support services. The field pathology laboratory is housed in a purpose-built rigid, expandable shelter which in its non-expanded mode conforms to ISO specifications. The laboratory has its own donor blood collection section to augment blood supplies in the field. Major analytical equipment includes an ABL 30 blood gas analyser, Kodak Ektachem DT60 biochemistry analyser and Sysmex F500 haematology analyser. Standard methods are used for crossmatching, coagulation and microbiology. Blood refrigerators which operate from a variety of voltages allow for the safe transportation and storage of blood worldwide. The laboratory is air portable and together with the entire field hospital can be readily deployed when required. The 1st Field Hospital field laboratory has NATA/RCPA registration.