Overview
Initiative type
Model of Care
Status
Close
Published
5 March 2026
Summary
Virtual Interventional Theatre Support uses secure telehealth to link regional hospital theatre teams with specialists within CQHHS and tertiary centres, enabling real-time guidance that improves safety, supports clinicians, and reduces unnecessary transfers. Delivered across the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, it demonstrates a scalable way technology can strengthen support options for procedural care in rural and regional settings.
Date: 2024 - ongoing
Implementation sites
Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, including:
- Rockhampton Hospital
- Emerald Hospital
- Gladstone Hospital
Partnerships
- Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service clinical teams
- Queensland Health ICT and network gateway teams
- Rural hospital sites across Central Queensland
- Specialist clinicians at tertiary centres
- Telehealth technology provider
Aim
To reduce the impact of geographic distance on patient outcomes by providing real-time specialist advice, supervision and support during procedures in Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service.
Outcomes
- Improved clinical decision-making during procedures
- Reduced need for patient transfers
- Increased capability of regional surgical teams
- Improved workforce confidence and resilience
- Reduced complications and mortality risk in supported cases
- Demonstrated ability to deliver funded inpatient virtual care events (where criteria met)
Background
Rural and regional staff have limited access to specialist expertise during procedures that may become more complex due to changes in patient condition or clinical requirements. Regional and rural staff may also require tertiary level input to emergent clinical situations where lifesaving support is vital. Patient may experience delays, transfers, or increased clinical risk. Advances in telehealth technology now allow specialists to remotely support procedures in real time and improving safety of patients.
Methods
- Installation of telehealth-enabled theatre equipment across Central Queensland sites
- Secure integration of the device into the Queensland Health network following privacy, ICT and governance approvals
- Use of a telehealth platform provided with vendor technical support
- Development of clinical workflows and quick-reference guides
- Engagement with surgical, obstetric, orthopaedic and rural clinical teams
- Ongoing monitoring of usage, outcomes and user feedback
Discussion
The project demonstrates that virtual theatre support can assist with reducing clinical risk associated with distance. While implementation required significant ICT coordination, privacy assurance and cross-site collaboration, clinician engagement has been strong. Simplicity of connection, clear governance and workforce trust are critical success factors. The model shows strong potential for scalability across other regions and specialties.
References
Gabatan, E. M. (2025). Simulating success -- virtual reality training for tomorrow’s operating theatre nurses: A discussion paper. Journal of Perioperative Nursing, 38(2), e-25-e-28. https://doi.org/10.26550/2209-1092.1378
Intelligent Operating Room (inOr). (2022). In A Feasibility Study to Evaluate the Use of Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Enhance Surgical Team Training and Performance in the Operating Theatre and to Improve Efficiency and Patient Outcomes. Imperial College London.
Fahey, G., Goodwin, M., Muruganandan, S., See, K., & Hannan, L. M. (2021). Improving access to ward-based respiratory failure management: a case study in the development of a respiratory care unit at an Australian metropolitan health service. Australian Health Review, 45(5), 601–605. https://doi.org/10.1071/AH21005
Elsakka, A., Park, B. J., Marinelli, B., Swinburne, N. C., & Schefflein, J. (2023). Virtual and Augmented Reality in Interventional Radiology: Current Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions. Techniques in vascular and interventional radiology, 26(3), 100919. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvir.2023.100919
Specialists remotely supervise surgery using new telehealth technology | ABC NEWS – video.
Further reading
Key contact
Christina McInally
Telehealth Coordinator Clinical Nurse Consultant
Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service