An infusion add-on device that uses electronically controlled gravity feed (ECGF) won the 2015 Patient Safety Movement Innovation Award at the 2016 Patient Safety, Science & Technology Summit on January 22, 2016 in Dana Point.
The ECGF Infusion set add-on device, developed by the Uganda Industrial Research Institute, has been designed to significantly improve the efficacy of intravenous fluid and/or drug delivery, especially to children under the age of five.
It was developed in response to studies that have confirmed the detrimental effect of unsafe fluid bolus in young children with the most severe shock. The ECGF Infusion set add-on device has been designed to significantly improve the efficacy of intravenous fluid and/or drug delivery, especially to children under the age of five.
It has the capability of accurately administering fluid and/or drugs by dynamically controlling the flow rate based on feedback from a drop sensor module. Additional features include safety, efficiency, ease of use and affordability.
The first prize was $50,000. The second prize of $25,000 was awarded to Fitsi Health for their hand hygiene solution. This solution, created by a nurse, is a bedside caddy that gives patients easy access to hand sanitizer and a place to store personal items such as mobile phones, glasses and hearing aids.
Its patented design attaches to hospital beds, is easily carried and stands upright on any flat surface. This solution helps reduce the risk of infections and patient falls, improves quality of care and saves healthcare workers time.
The third prize of $10,000 was awarded to PrevenTreat, who introduced a bed sore prevention system called Healthy Heels. Heel pressure ulcers (HPUs) are a preventable, but common wound that occurs in immobile or otherwise bedridden patients. HPUs can be prevented if the patient’s heels are suspended continuously in the air with pressure transferred to the calf. Healthy Heels prevents and treats HPUs through a patented bed sheet and pillow system that keeps the patient’s heels suspended indefinitely during rest.
Over 60 patient safety entrepreneurs and innovators competed for the award by submitting their novel products and processes that are designed to help reach the goal of zero preventable patient deaths by the year 2020.
This is the first year of this competition and its goal was to atract a wide array of entries from a diverse group of stakeholders. The Patient Safety Movement Foundation’s board of directors selected the three winners.
“Congratulations to all of our winners,” said Joe Kiani, founder of the Patient Safety Movement Foundation. “We believe innovation is key to attaining zero patient deaths by 2020. We are constantly learning about unique solutions being used around the world that are improving patient safety and this award allows us to both support and share the details of these innovations.”
2015 Patient Safety Movement Innovation Award, 2016 Patient Safety, Science & Technology Summit, Joe Kiani, US
