19/07/2018
Collaborative partnership recognised for breakthrough in reducing the time to surgery for ankle fracture patients
UK-based medical devices company, Sky Medical Technology and the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, have been crowned winner of the Healthcare Project of the Year for 2017 at the prestigious BioNow Awards.
The title was awarded for their breakthrough work in partnering to generate clinical and health economic data which directly led to the adoption of the geko™ device for the control of pre-operative oedema reduction in ankle fracture patients, reducing the time to surgery for ankle fracture patients, demonstrating significant patient benefits, NHS cost savings and an NHS derived heath economic business case that is now generating revenues internationally.
Sky Medical Technology’s innovative geko™ device has been clinically proven to reduce pre-operative oedema in ankle fracture patients, saving two bed days per patient on average when compared to all other methods, and saving an average of £569¹ per patient. Associated benefits include accelerated readiness for theatre, improvement to patient wellbeing, improved theatre time scheduling and accelerated recovery as rehabilitation can begin sooner.
CCO Andrew Thelwell, collecting the award on behalf of the Sky Medical said, “I would like to thank Bionow and TRUSTECH, sponsor of the award, for recognising that our project demonstrates excellence in collaboration and partnership between industry and the NHS. We are directly partnering with clinicians who are ready to challenge the status quo with innovative new solutions. The success of this project wouldn’t have been possible without the partnership with the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and reinforces that collaboration really is key to bringing forward new treatments that have the potential to solve some of our most pressing and costly modern healthcare challenges.
Commenting on behalf of the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Paul Baker, Orthopaedic Consultant says: “We are delighted to have won. We saw the potential for the geko™ device to significantly improve current care pathways for our surgically treated ankle fractures. Working collaboratively with Sky Medical our study findings show the geko™ device can be used safely and effectively in this patient population and has streamlined care”.
Bernard Ross, CEO Sky comments, “Bionow celebrate outstanding leaders and innovators in the life sciences sector in the North of England – a sector that is worth £11bn to the North’s economy. It is an honour to be recognised by Bionow and TRUSTECH. The oedema control project is a prime example of the huge potential of collaborative innovation and partnership in healthcare settings and illustrates Sky’s highly effective route to market which has led to UK and International market penetration for the geko™ device, in a growing number of application areas”.
Reference:
1. Health economic analysis performed subsequent to the completion of the study by Mtech Access Ltd, Bicester UK, 2017.
