New handheld scanners that can quickly detect cardiac arrests are helping to revolutionise the way critically ill patients at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston are cared for thanks to the generosity of Boston’s Local Hope Community Group.

When a patient suffers a cardiac arrest, time is of the essence for the hospital’s Critical Care Teams to be able to reach them quickly, rapidly assess them and start treatment as soon as possible.

Thanks to funding from Local Hope Community Group the team is now equipped with two hand-held scanners that allow ultrasound scans to be performed instantly wherever the patient may be. Results can be viewed on mobile phones, enabling faster diagnosis.

Advanced Critical Care Outreach Practitioner Emma Bradley is part of the nine-strong team who could be called to treat inpatients when their heath suddenly deteriorates.

She said: “Having this portable scanner in our pocket means we would not be delayed in scanning the patient. Point-of-care ultrasound can assist with diagnostics, enabling the delivery of timely treatment.”

Since their conception, portable ultrasound scanners are transforming the way emergency medical care is delivered. The handheld device works wirelessly, sending an ultrasound image to the clinician's mobile phone. 

They can be used for multiple purposes including identifying potentially reversable causes of cardiac arrest, as well as detecting life-threatening conditions like tension pneumothorax, where air gets trapped inside the chest and cannot escape. The scanner can also assist in the insertion of cannulas into veins.

Emma is convinced having this small piece of technology in their pocket will change the way the team treat patients in the future. She added: “It will build upon our clinical capabilities, enhance physical examinations, improve diagnostic accuracy and therefore enable us to expedite appropriate treatments.”

Sue Gosling and Bob Green from Boston Local Hope recently visited the hospital, where Emma demonstrated what the scanner could do. Sue said: “We are a local community group committed to raising funds to help improve the lives of patients at our local hospital. We are delighted to make this donation to United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity for the purchase of the scanners, and it is lovely to hear they will soon be used across the hospital, enabling quicker detection of a patient’s illness.”

Group Chief Finance Officer for Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group, Paul Antunes Goncalves said: “This donation highlights the vital role local charities play in helping our hospitals provide cutting edge technologies for our patients. Local Hope has been a valued partner of Pilgrim Hospital for many years, and we are extremely grateful for the donation of these devices worth £7,900. We know they will make a real difference to patient care.”

Could you help fund life-saving equipment at Lincolnshire's hospitals?