Australia first: Barwon Health trials rapid kidney stone treatment in University Hospital Geelong Emergency Department

Barwon Health has become the first hospital in Australia to trial a new Australian developed, designed and manufactured device that allows kidney stents to be inserted in the Emergency Department under local anaesthetic, dramatically reducing wait times for patients suffering severe kidney stone pain and reducing the need for overnight admission to hospital. The device is being used under the TGA Authorised Prescriber pathway, which enables strictly monitored access to unapproved medical devices prior to full regulatory approval.

The procedure was performed at University Hospital Geelong, where a patient presenting with acute renal colic received the stent shortly after arriving in the Emergency Department.

One of the first patients to receive the new treatment at Barwon Health, Geelong resident Jessica Stevenson, said the experience was significantly quicker and easier than previous treatment for kidney stones.
“I had the exact same thing happen about eight months ago and ended up needing surgery and an overnight stay in hospital after the kidney stone blocked my kidney,” Ms Stevenson said.

“This time it was completely different. I didn’t need a general anaesthetic; I didn’t have to wait for surgery and the procedure was done within minutes. I was able to go home about an hour later and avoid being away from my young daughter overnight.
“It was quicker, less painful and much easier overall. I’m really thankful this option was available and I think it could make a huge difference for other people wanting to avoid a hospital stay and get back home to their families sooner.”

Kidney stones are one of the most painful medical conditions and can occur when a stone blocks the flow of urine from the kidney, causing intense pain and potentially serious complications, requiring emergency surgery.

Traditionally, patients requiring urgent ureteric stent insertion need to wait for operating theatre availability and undergo the procedure under general anaesthetic. The process can take many hours and often requires a hospital admission.

The new device is designed to insert the stent using standard cystoscopic techniques under local anaesthetic in a matter of minutes, avoiding the need for operating theatre time in suitable patients.
Barwon Health Director of Urology, Associate Professor Richard Grills said the approach could transform the way acute kidney stone obstruction is treated. “Renal colic is widely recognised as one of the most severe forms of pain people experience,” Associate Professor Grills said. “Being able to relieve that obstruction quickly in the Emergency Department, without the need for theatre or general anaesthetic, has the potential to significantly improve the experience for patients.”

Barwon Health performs 160 – 170 ureteric stent procedures each year. Clinicians estimate the new approach could reduce hospital admissions for many suitable patients and save around ~$3,000 per procedure while freeing up valuable operating theatre capacity and hospital beds.

The device was developed by Australian medical technology company Akeeko Medical, co-founded by practicing urologist Associate Professor Joseph Ischia.

Associate Professor Ischia began his urology training in Geelong under the supervision of Associate Professor Grills, making the first procedure at Barwon Health’s University Hospital Geelong a significant full-circle moment.

Barwon Health is the first dedicated trial site under the Authorised Prescriber scheme which is intended to generate clinical experience and real-world evidence to support ongoing product development. The device is not currently included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).

The milestone procedure highlights Barwon Health’s role in supporting innovation that improves patient care.