How These Devices Are Changing Patients' Lives
Point of Care (PoC) devices are revolutionary tools that contribute to a significant improvement in the quality of stroke emergency care. They offer fast and accurate on-site results, allowing medical staff to make immediate treatment decisions.
In stroke, time is of the essence. Every minute without treatment can lead to serious and long-lasting damage. PoC devices allow emergency teams to diagnose and start stroke treatment immediately, right at the scene of an accident.
These devices are mobile, easy to use, and can analyze biological samples in real time. They can measure key parameters such as blood glucose levels, clotting time, and others that are essential for diagnosing and treating a stroke.
With the help of PoC devices, emergency care can provide faster and more effective care to stroke patients. This not only saves lives, but also improves the quality of life of patients, reducing the likelihood of long-term damage.
Dorina Dobreva, Chairperson of the Association for Stroke and Aphasia (AIA) presented the patient's point of view on this topic during the organized expert meeting together with the Bulgarian Stroke Society, the Bulgarian League of Hypertension and the National Association of Emergency Care Workers. In front of the wide audience and with strong interest in the hall of the University Hospital "St. Anna", leading specialists presented various aspects related to the benefits of introducing the devices into the Emergency Care system. Unfortunately, at the moment Bulgaria remains the last in terms of their implementation in Europe. There is also no program for the provision of consumables in our country. This sad finding was made against the backdrop of an increase in the number of stroke cases in the country for the third year in a row. (We remind you that Bulgaria is the leader in Europe with over 50,000 cases per year).
The participants in the expert meeting agreed that PoC devices play a key role in improving emergency care in stroke. They offer fast and accurate results that allow medical staff to make immediate treatment decisions, resulting in better outcomes for patients.