In summer 2009, the English, Welsh and Scottish Paediatric Service identified a number of important clinical needs within the service.  One of those needs - for improved diagnostic and investigative testing for children - is described below.  The Service also suggested desired solutions, the business opportunities they might present and other requirements that might be needed to bring the concept to market.

Description

Improved diagnostic and investigative testing for children to include a rapid assessment of ER based vital signs.  It could also demonstrate a differentiation of viral versus bacterial infections together with multiple specific and generic tests that could network visualisation for quick decision making.

So, here's what the Paediatric Service said:

Wouldn't it be great if there were improved diagnostic and investigative testing for children which included a rapid assessment of ER based vital signs; could demonstrate a differentiation of viral versus bacterial infections and could offer a multiple specific and generic tests that could network visualisation for quick decision making.... 

What they said about the need:

World wide there is an urgent need for health care professionals to be able to rapidly assess a child in the emergency room.  This is a clinical problem yet to be resolved.  While there are many individual tests, none are sensitive or specific enough to ensure the correct decision is made every time.  Quick methods for the detection of infection are needed.  We need to know quickly whether an infection is viral or bacterial, especially with children as they can deteriorate rapidly and without warning.

If this test were non-invasive and could be performed at the bedside with results available within minutes it would be extremely useful.  This would also help us identify the right course of treatment to effect a speedy recovery, allow a decision whether to admit or discharge a child and, therefore, reduce the cost to both the patient and the health system.

Additionally, Sa02 levels in children can be very difficult to monitor because it is difficult to keep children still.  We need a way to capture and monitor these levels with equipment which does not detach easily.  This could be incorporated with the above test.

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