Studies show that lung ultrasound for COVID-19 patient management could provide care providers with a safe and efficient alternative for diagnostic imaging.
Ultrasound, a first-line diagnostic tool, is considered to be one of the most important technologies to improve access to care in limited-resource settings.
As the country, much like the rest of the world, battles COVID-19, the need for a more accessible imaging modality that will help in diagnosis and treatment management has become greater. Health technology company Royal Philips recognizes this need and therefore has mobilized its handheld/portable ultrasound systems to assigned COVID-19 referral centers.
Why ultrasound devices?
According to Philips, as ultrasound devices are portable, they can be brought to the patient rather than bringing the patient to different rooms in the hospital to get scanned. Lessening patient movement also reduces patient exposure to other patients and healthcare professionals.
Further, ultrasound devices can be easily disinfected. This allows for more patients to be scanned in a shorter period, thus making healthcare procedures more efficient.
They also offer a user-friendly experience for care providers. With this type of diagnostic imaging process, there is no need for site planning as ultrasound devices are often a plug-and-play. They require only basic ultrasound knowledge.
In addition, ultrasound reduces patients’ exposure to radiation, thereby minimizing other potential health risks.
Depending on the systems, remote capabilities for virtual collaboration is possible. And being hybrid solutions, they can be used after the outbreak for other clinical necessities.
“We are championing the benefits of ultrasound in the safe management of the outbreak, as these solutions could help us give the best care to patients while protecting our frontliners in the fight against COVID-19,” said Ashwin Chari, country manager of Philips Philippines.
Ultrasound solutions by Philips include Lumify, an app-based device which is the company’s most portable solution for point-of-care lung and cardiac assessment; InnoSight, a compact ultrasound system that allows healthcare professionals to scan patients in places where care is delivered—whether in the office, clinic, or hospital;
CX50, meanwhile, allows professionals to have the image quality they need for diagnostic confidence wherever it is needed as it can be taken to patients in the surgical suite, CCU and ICU, in labor and delivery and at satellite clinics and screening events, in the ED and OR, and in the NICU or PICU;
Affiniti scans technically difficult patients with ease with PureWave transducers and has powerful multi-modality fusion capabilities; and EPIQ Elite, which features an exceptional level of clinical performance, workflow, and advanced intelligence with clinically tailored tools designed to elevate diagnostic confidence to new levels.