New handheld scanners that can quickly detect cardiac arrests are helping to revolutionise the way critically ill patients at Pilgrim Hospital.
When a patient suffers a cardiac arrest, time is of the essence for the hospital’s Critical Care Teams to be able to reach them quickly, rapidly assess them and start treatment as soon as possible.
Thanks to funding from Local Hope Community Group the team is now equipped with two hand-held scanners that allow ultrasound scans to be performed instantly wherever the patient may be.
Results can be viewed on mobile phones, enabling faster diagnosis.
Advanced Critical Care outreach practitioner Emma Bradley is part of the nine-strong team who could be called to treat inpatients when their heath suddenly deteriorates.
She said: “Having this portable scanner in our pocket means we would not be delayed in scanning the patient.
“Point-of-care ultrasound can assist with diagnostics, enabling the delivery of timely treatment.”
