That's the ultimate use of technology--to enhance human decision-making. And it's perhaps a barrier to adoption for some folks who have 20th century mindsets.

"As electronic management of health care data in a hospital becomes more widely instituted the expectation is that all add-on devices [will be smart]," Sewall suggested. "It started with CT scanners and MRIs--digital data and diagnostics. Now, infusion pumps, pulse oximetry, and other devices will be designed to send data wirelessly to analyze or store it."


The implications are endless such as one machine "talking" to another, for instance to have the patient's pulse become one input to inform the administration of medication. "So it's clinical decision-making using technology. That is a long way off and the FDA is beginning to wrangle with this blurring of the lines between medical devices and information systems."

Note that Smiths Medical is also a market leader in syringe pumps for the neonatal intensive care unit. The company will soon add wireless capability to its other smart pump, the Smiths Medical Medfusion 3500 system. This small, lightweight syringe pump offers medication safety software and a customizable drug library. Hospitals program the smart pump with the NICU drug formulary and dose levels for the tiny patients in this high-risk setting.

About Smiths Medical
Smiths Medical is a supplier of specialist medical devices to global markets. Smiths Medical comprises three product groupings: Safety Devices, Vital Care and Medication Delivery. Smiths Medical customers include hospitals and other healthcare providers worldwide. Smiths Medical employs nearly 7,500 people. For further information visit www.smiths-medical.com


Back to HCB News

More Industry Headlines