Research Park firm develops new dialysis technology

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Research Park firm develops new dialysis technology
Patients, staff to benefit from Vasc-Alert device
10:35 PM, May 21, 2012   |   Comments
 
Individuals on dialysis and medical personnel treating them may experience better decision-making through use of a new tool developed by a Purdue Research Park company in West Lafayette.

Vasc-Alert Referral enables the creation of a referral form and tracks intervention results. This helps staff members at dialysis centers see the complete life cycle of a vascular access site used for hemodialysis treatments.

A vascular access site is the site on the body through which blood is removed and returned during dialysis. These sites are prone to complications, such as infection and blood clotting, and must be monitored closely.

The existing system created by Vasc-Alert LLC helps dialysis providers monitor a patient’s vascular access site. Providers who subscribe to the service send dialysis information to Vasc-Alert, which analyzes the data and sends information back to providers. The system can alert providers when a patient’s data indicates he or she may be close to developing a stenosis, or potentially life-threatening blood vessel narrowing.

The new Vasc-Alert Referral module creates a packet of critical clinical information that needs to be communicated to the intervention center and develops a record of the referral.

“It will save time for the staff, who normally have to locate and then fill in the information by hand. The referral packet includes the standard Vasc-Alert Patient Detail report that shows why the patient may be at risk for a clot,” said Doug Curry, vice president of Vasc-Alert. “It’s additional information that medical professionals can use when they receive the referral form.”

Through weekly reports, Vasc-Alert informs medical staff that a stenosis may be developing. But until introduction of the company’s latest technology, the process was missing information on referral and outcome of any possible intervention.

“Vasc-Alert Referral has all the information for a referral in one place and puts it into one document, which is much easier than faxing five pieces of paper,” said Mary Swalls-Climer, nurse clinician at Sparrow Health System in Lansing, Mich. “I also like that the latest patient detail report is included automatically. It’s one less step to take when we make referrals, saving time and resources for a dialysis center.”


http://www.jconline.com/article/20120521/BUSINESS/305210030