Communication App Helps Patients Voice Their Needs

An innovative tablet-based application offers intubated and ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients a way to converse with their medical staff.   The “Speak for Myself” app enables a patient to communicate to the ICU or critical care staff pain levels, feelings of fear and loneliness, and physical needs, such as suctioning, repositioning needs, and [...]

RFID System Helps Localize Breast Lesions

A novel wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) system offers radiation-free breast lesion localization, resulting in better outcomes for patients. The LOCalizer RFID breast lesion localization system includes a miniature non-radioactive RFID tag designed to be implanted in the lesion up to 30 days before surgery, a RFID tag applicator, a handheld reader, and a sterile [...]

Pressure Injuries Prevalence Has Decreased Dramatically

According to a new study, 50% reduction in the prevalence of pressure wounds in hospitals in the United States and other critical care settings over the last decade can be attributed to better preventive practices. Hill-Rom researchers (Batesville, IN, USA) conducted an International Pressure Ulcer Prevalence Survey (IPUP) using a population sample comprised of 918,621 [...]

Robotic system revolutionize colorectal procedures

A new robotic surgical platform provides access to difficult-to-access anatomies in colorectal procedures, offering treatment options that may be impossible with straight and rigid instruments. The Medrobotics Flex System is a highly articulated, multi-body endoscope for minimally invasive surgical procedures (CMI) that replace and open surgical procedures for many parts of the anatomy that are [...]

Major trends impacting the market for portable ultrasound equipment

It is estimated that the worldwide market for portable ultrasound equipment will grow at a CAGR of more than 9% over the period 2017-2021, driven by the three main emerging trends: broader applications, increasing demand and early diagnosis of the disease. These are the latest discoveries of Technavio Research, (London, UK), a global research and [...]

Motorized stretchers reduce injuries in paramedics

According to a new study, paramedics with access to stretchers with battery-operated hydraulic systems and ambulance-assisted loading experience significantly fewer musculoskeletal injuries. Researchers at the University of Waterloo, Canada, conducted a study to compare injury rates of paramedics at the Niagara Emergency Medical Service (NEMS, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada), which had implemented motorized At the time of [...]