Innovating to improve care standards in the NICU
Pretect is developing a novel technology to prevent intravenous leakage injury in premature babies, giving parents and healthcare staff the peace of mind they deserve and babies the care they need.
Intravenous infiltration and extravasation injuries are caused by unwanted leakage of IV contents into tissues surrounding the vein during IV therapy. The leakage delays the administration of life preserving medication, which results in internal chemical burns causing pain, blistering and tissue damage, and in more severe cases, plastic surgery and amputation.
“Extravasation and infiltration iniuries often lead to disastrous complications if not recognised early.”
Prof. Sanjay Patole
Clinical Prof. of Neonatal Paediatrics,
King Edwards Memorial Hospital
Solution
Pretect is developing a noninvasive continuous monitoring device for detection of Intravenous Therapy (IV) leakage in preterm infants to prevent infiltration and extravasation injury.
Pretect's innovation enhances NICU life support procedures via rapid detection of IV leakage by automatically shutting off the IV pump and alerting healthcare staff to correct IV line integrity. Pretect's solution is integrated into the current NICU workflow and reduces the workload of nurses enabling a higher level of healthcare. In 2021 the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care introduced new clinical care standards for IV catheter management. Our innovation will be a pioneering solution for implementing this new standard across Australia in the NICU and beyond.
Continuous realtime monitoring
Prevention of infiltration/extravasation injuries
Reduced healthcare burden
Integrated with current worflow
Pretect would like to acknowledge its valued supporters
Perth Biodesign overall winners, 2021
Biodesign NEXT 2022
Innovation Booster Grant winners 2022
Entry to Medtech Actuator's 12-month Accelerator program 2023 - Cohort eight