What You Should Know:
– Sutter Health, an integrated healthcare system in Northern California, announced today its decision to deploy FloPatch, the world’s first wireless, wearable Doppler ultrasound device developed by Flosonics Medical.
– The wearable Doppler ultrasound patch empowers ICU clinicians with a faster, hands-free method for assessing blood flow at the bedside, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.
Addressing a Critical Challenge in Critical Care
One of the most crucial yet complex tasks in critical care is determining the precise amount of intravenous (IV) fluids a patient requires. Traditional methods often lack precision, potentially leading to fluid overload, a dangerous side effect. FloPatch tackles this challenge head-on by providing a simple, rapid, and consistent method for measuring changes in blood flow and heart function related to IV fluid volume.
Improving Care for Septic Shock Patients
By facilitating a more precise approach to IV fluid management, FloPatch has the potential to significantly enhance the care of critically ill patients, especially those battling septic shock, the leading cause of death in US hospitals.
Worn comfortably on a patient’s neck, FloPatch continuously monitors blood flow within the carotid arteries, offering valuable insights into left ventricle function. This data is then wirelessly transmitted to a secure mobile application, providing clinicians with real-time, actionable information right at the bedside.
Sutter Health Deployment Roll-Out Plans
Sutter Health will be deploying FloPatch across four ICUs within two Bay Area medical centers this summer. The initial rollout will begin at Sutter’s Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley, followed by implementation at Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center across its Van Ness, Davies, and Mission Bernal campuses.
Research Highlights Benefits
A recent study demonstrated that for every 10 FloPatch assessments performed in the emergency department, approximately four patients could potentially avoid the dangers of fluid overload. This translates to better patient outcomes and significant cost savings for healthcare systems.
“Sepsis, hypotension/shock and renal failure are common clinical problems in the emergency department and ICU. FloPatch can make a large impact on patient care by allowing goal directed care which will prevent potentially harmful interventions and, in some cases, may avoid the need for ICU-level care,” said Kristina Kury, M.D., medical director of Critical Care at Sutter’s Eden Medical Center. “I believe this technology will provide more precise, actionable data that will allow us to optimize patient care, decrease complications and decrease length of stay for many of our patients.”