Woking and Sam Beare Hospices in Surrey have recently invested in a SonoSite NanoMaxx® point-of-care ultrasound system, enhancing palliative care services for its patients.
Dr Fiona Bailey, medical director and consultant in palliative medicine, explained: “We have used ultrasound for a number of years and find it very beneficial, particularly for abdominal investigations. Diagnosis is easier, and it enables us to perform treatments such as the insertion of an ascitic drain in a safe and efficient manner.”
“We purchased the NanoMaxx® a few months ago to replace an older instrument. Its touch screen operation and pre-programmed settings make the system very user friendly, and the image quality is a big improvement on our previous instrument. As a hospice, our role is to treat patients wherever they are. Many of our patients are quite frail, and the NanoMaxx®’s small size, portability and robustness are a particular benefit. Although the system is kept on a stand in the hospice, it is easily detached and transported if we need to use it at another site. This gives us the added flexibility to examine patients in their own homes, helping to avoid unnecessary, stressful hospital attendances. We can actually take our tools to the bedside, and that is really important.“
