12/05/2020
The geko™ device is helping to transform stroke aftercare and reduce complications caused by venous thromboembolism
Building Better Healthcare speaks to Dr Indira Natarajan, a consultant at the Royal Stoke University Hospital’s acute stroke unit, about the challenges associated with trialling new treatments in stroke aftercare and how embracing innovation and different ways of working can have positive outcomes for patients
Enlarge“The stroke team at the Royal Stoke University Hospital wanted to find an alternative to traditional treatments to prevent venous thromboemoblism in stroke patients; and carried out a pilot study using geko™, a new neuromuscular electrostimulation technology from Sky Medical Technology.”
Introducing change to clinical practice to address areas of unmet need is complex, both within the NHS and for private healthcare providers.
From ensuring patient safety, to developing a thorough case for investing in new methods or equipment; a number of considerations must be taken into account.
And this was the challenge faced by Dr Indira Natarajan, a consultant stroke physician for the Royal Stoke University Hospital’s acute stroke team, part of the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust.
Recognising that a number of immobile patients who had suffered ischemic or haemorrhagic strokes were unable to tolerate intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE), Dr Natarajan led an observational pilot study to assess a new neuromuscular electrostimulation technology – the geko™ device – to address this significant unmet need.
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