Abstract
Recent news flow from both sides of the Atlantic has reinforced the case for speeding up the rate which UK Medtech company Deltex Medical Group’s CardioQ-ODM device is adopted, according to research house Equity Development.
This week the company received a boost for its device from an NHS report, in which the chief executive published his intention to instruct the organisation to implement fluid management during surgery using oesophageal Doppler monitoring (ODM) technology as a priority.
It came after NICE (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) in March of this year recommended ODM for patients undergoing major or high-risk surgery and for certain other surgical patients.
About the system
The CardioQ-ODM system consists of a monitor and a single-patient disposable probe, which is placed into the oesophagus positioned so that it is close to the descending aorta. The speed of blood travelling down the aorta is then measured by using a low-frequency ultrasound signal. This helps doctors to reduce complications from a medical condition known as hypovalaemia, which is common among almost all patients who undergo surgery.
According to guidance issued by UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence(NICE) the cost saving per patient, when the CardioQ-ODM is used instead of a central venous catheter in the peri-operative period, is about £1,100 based on a 7.5 day hospital stay and assuming the use of CardioQ-ODM gives a reduction of about 2 days in length of hospital stay.
Commentary about the NHS Chief Executive’s report
“This public statement reconfirms that the NHS is committed to drive the introduction of technologies that improve patient‟ outcomes in a cost-effective manner and which are supported by strong clinical evidence,” said Equity Development in the note.
“The NHS is pushing for an ‘immediate start’ on implementation otherwise restrictive financial measures will be put in place for those not complying. The next 12-months will consequently be a transparent period for observers to see the changes in adoption rates in the UK.”
Adoption in USA
Equity Development also noted that, although in early days, the clinical news flow from the US, including data from clinical trials, appeared to be “very encouraging”.
“Notably, doctors from Duke University Hospital in North Carolina presented their findings at the American Society of Anaesthesiologists, Chicago in mid-October.
“Duke is both a well renowned institution and one of the few hospitals to have started the introduction of enhanced recovery for bowel surgery. In addition they are considering the possibility to implement it into other types of surgeries.”
The research house describes the move as an ideal “entry card” for the firm – to educate practitioners and highlight the need for fluid management in surgery – a concept that, although known, has not yet been adopted as standard practice in North America.
Source: Proactiveinvestors.co.uk
published: December 8, 2011 in: Anaesthesia, News, Technology