Point-of Care Ultrasound Helps Physicians in Surgical, Intensive Care Environments

Small, lightweight ultrasound systems are expanding the use of the technology across the clinical range by cost-effectively bringing high-performance ultrasound to the point of patient care.

The anesthesia department at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS [National Health Service] Trust (UK) has invested in six SonoSite (Bothell, WA, USA) point-of-care ultrasound systems for its surgical and intensive care services. Dr. Frederic Sage, consultant anesthetist at the Trust, explained, “We first started using SonoSite’s ultrasound systems for vascular access about six or seven years ago, and have always been impressed with the service and support the company provides. Increasing the range of ultrasound-guided procedures we perform, particularly in terms of regional nerve blocks, has driven up the demand on our existing point-of-care systems, and so we are continually investing in more instruments to fulfill this need.”

Dr. Sage went on to report on the effectiveness of the technology. As with any piece of hospital equipment, ongoing costs are a major consideration, he reported, and a five-year warranty and excellent support offered by SonoSite have been important factors in their choice of instrument. “We have also been impressed by both the image quality and ease of use of SonoSite’s latest generation of instruments, and so have invested in five M-Turbo systems and one S-Nerve instrument for use in ICU [intensive care unit] and across our various theater suites. The multifunctional nature of the M-Turbo system is particularly important in ICU, where the systems are used for vascular and arterial access, tracheostomies, ascites taps, and echocardiograms.”

SonoSite, Inc. is a developer of bedside and point-of-care ultrasound and an industry leader in ultra-high-frequency micro-ultrasound technology and impedance cardiography equipment.

Related Links:
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
SonoSite