In a wide range of emergency care settings, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can provide physicians with immediate insights into a patient’s condition, expediting care and informing bedside treatment. It is a cost-effective, non-invasive diagnostic tool that, while also enhancing doctor-patient communication and boosting patient satisfaction [1]. Point-of-care ultrasound imaging can also help reduce time to diagnosis when used as an integral part of clinical examinations and procedures leading to more widespread use of ultrasound imaging in emergency medicine. Philips continues its commitment to integrate AI into its point-of-care ultrasound systems, putting its Ultrasound Compact System 5000 Series, Lumify Handheld Ultrasound, and Philips Collaboration Live tele-ultrasound capabilities and support services center-stage at the 2023 American College of Emergency Physicians Scientific Assembly (ACEP23, October 9-12, 2023, Philadelphia USA).
Philips point-of-care Ultrasound systems installed around the world perform an estimated 44 million diagnostic and interventional procedures each year, supporting diagnosis and treatment in primary care, anesthesia and pain management, emergency and musculoskeletal. By providing emergency medicine physicians with the ability to remotely assess patients in the field, rapidly diagnose patients in the emergency department, and remotely collaborate in real-time with experienced colleagues, Philips’ point-of-care ultrasound systems have the potential to improve patient outcomes, mitigate staff shortages, reduce the cost of care, and improve the patient and staff experience. A consistent user interface deployed across all three point-of-care systems helps minimize the need for staff training, while ‘walk-up’ readiness and dedicated protocol settings contribute to clinical workflows.
“Point-of-care ultrasound has emerged as an invaluable tool in the assessment of patients, both diagnostically and therapeutically. Having access to ultrasound in such a remote extreme environment where your diagnostic capability is prohibitively limited is extremely valuable,” said Dr. Gaynor Prince, Emergency Physician at Sir Charles Gardner Hospital, Australia.
“Leveraging the advanced imaging technology, integrated AI capabilities, and software applications used in our cart-based ultrasound systems, we are making point-of-care ultrasound a strategic focus in our efforts to bring the convenience, cost, and outcome benefits of ultrasound imaging to more patients in more care settings. In addition to providing the hardware, we are committed to expediting innovations and communication, significantly increasing our investments and resources to help shape the future in POCUS,” said Matthijs Groot Wassink, General Manager, Point-of-Care and Obstetrics Ultrasound at Philips.
