AUS government body has announced it is to fund the use of CardioQ, which improves outcomes for patients undergoing surgery and cuts the cost of care. However, the manufacturer, Deltex Medical, claims that patients in the UK are being routinely denied this technology.
The blood monitor helps anaesthetists better maintain fluid balance and blood circulation in patients during and after surgery. Imperfect fluid balance can cause significant clinical complications, including organ failure, and slows patient recovery. CardioQ has been shown to improve patient outcomes and significantly reduce length of hospital stay in numerous surgical specialities including orthopaedic, colorectal, cardiac and general surgery.
Research published in the British Journal of Surgery, in September 2006, revealed how an NHS hospital halved the recovery time of patients undergoing bowel surgery. The study reveals how patients undergoing colorectal surgery at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle upon Tyne, were fit for discharge after just seven days compared to the NHS average across England of 14 days (NHS Institute data). In fact, the manufacturer of the technology claims that the NHS could save £400 million per year if the new technology was introduced and the Medway Maritime NHS Trust has already reported savings of over £1 m per year.
“The NHS looks at any new expenditure and says that it’s a bad thing – even if that expenditure will save a greater sum of money. It’s very frustrating,” commented managing director, Ewan Philips.
The company is currently awaiting a decision from the Centre for Evidence Based Purchasing (CEP) which is reviewing the CardioQ.
