Web posted
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Cutting-edge technology improves care
New innovations and upgrades are common place in the world of medical equipment.
As with most technology, bigger and better systems are continuously being released.
Typically, the new models have a limited effect on the hospital as a whole, only making one department's job faster, easier, safer or less evasive.
But, a new arrival at South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center is breaking that mold and making an impact in practically every department where patient care is provided.
At first glance, it doesn't appear to be more than a cross between your typical laptop computer and a George Foreman Grill.
But the SonoSite MicroMaxx is actually a state-of-the-art portable ultrasound machine capable of handling a wide range of imaging needs.
In the few weeks it has been at the medical center it has been used in coordination with multiple surgeries and also with several patients in the emergency department.
The SonoSite is portable enough that the device was carried to Mt. Everest to document altitudes effect on people. However, it is accurate enough that it can be used to locate even the smallest of veins, nerves or in some cases objects within a patient.
Recently, a young patient broke a needle off in his foot that could not be found by the staff at the clinic.
He was sent to the ER for further treatment.
The usual course of action would have been to take him to surgery, anesthetize him and use an x-ray to find the needle.
But because the new SonoSite was available in the ER, the doctor was able to see the needle with the ultrasound and remove it.
"(The SonoSite) saved time, money and made the young patient's course a lot easier," said David Dornhoffer, certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) at the medical center.
"The SonoSite allows us to actually see veins under the skin we are trying to find. This applies for central IVs in the neck or shoulder or even smaller IVs in the arms," said Dornhoffer. "Being able to see them means fewer attempts to find them."
The ease of use with the SonoSite is quickly making it one of the most popular pieces of equipment in the medical center.
Hospital-wide training on the apparatus began earlier this week. However, demand for the device has prompted Dornhoffer and fellow CRNA Theresa Sutton to increase the number of training sessions in order to accommodate the significant number of nursing staff interested in using it within their departments.
Training is scheduled to continue at the medical center throughout the week.
|
