Point-of-care ultrasound improving care for chest patients

HACKNEY, U.K. - Feb. 24, 2017 - PRLog -- Ultrasound guidance is now routinely used for pleural procedures, with current British Thoracic Society guidelines stating that all pleural drain insertions and aspirations should be performed using the technique. Dr Angshu Bhowmik, a consultant chest physician specialising in lung cancer and COPD at Homerton University Hospital, discussed the benefits of point-of-care (POC) ultrasound for clinicians and patients alike: "I first started using ultrasound in my practice in 2008, following the publication of several papers highlighting the potential safety improvements for chest drains and biopsies. Although most of my generation of registrars and consultants had been successfully performing these procedures 'blind' for many years, ultrasound allows you to visualise any unusual anatomical features – such as an enlarged heart or pleural thickening – reducing risks and improving success rates. We put together a business case based on this safety benefit, and chose a highly portable FUJIFILM SonoSite point-of-care system to meet our needs."

"Since this time, we have routinely used POC systems for pleural drains and aspirations. As we have developed our interest in ultrasound further, we have started using it for a number of other applications – such as performing pleural biopsies in patients who are not suitable for thoracoscopic biopsies, or dynamic assessment of the diaphragm for some COPD patients – which is often safer and more convenient for patients, avoiding the need for radiology referrals. Our latest SonoSite Edge™ system offers excellent image quality, as well as a colour Doppler function, providing the best possible balance between resolution, portability and usability."

For more information about FUJIFILM SonoSite products, please contact:

FUJIFILM SonoSite Ltd

T +44 (0)1462 341151,

eraf-sales@fujifilm.com  www.sonosite.com/uk

About FUJIFILM SonoSite

SonoSite helped pioneer the concept of portable, point-of-care ultrasound, and it continues to be a world-leading manufacturer and innovator of bedside ultrasound systems as well as an industry leader in ultra-high frequency micro-ultrasound technology. Headquartered near Seattle, the company is represented by 26 subsidiaries and a global distribution network in over 100 countries. SonoSite's portable, compact systems are expanding the use of ultrasound across the clinical spectrum by cost-effectively bringing high-performance ultrasound to the point of patient care. For more information, go to: www.sonosite.com.

FUJIFILM SonoSite, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc. oversees a direct sales distribution network in the UK and provides sales and marketing support.

FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries, including electronic imaging, digital printing equipment, medical systems, life sciences, graphic arts, flat panel display materials, and office products, based on a vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit www.fujifilmholdings.com.