American company ivWatch is introducing a product in Europe that aims to reduce the risk of extravasation – the leakage of fluids from IV lines into the bloodstream – using a predictive algorithm and multi-spectral light. Their patient monitoring system, which has FDA clearance, is designed to detect infiltration events and prevent serious injuries. Due to workforce pressures and cost-saving efforts, the risk of extravasation has increased, making their technology even more relevant in today’s healthcare environment.
According to a white paper published by ivWatch, 90% of hospital patients receive an IV, but half of these IVs fail. Nearly a quarter of the failures are due to infiltration, which can lead to severe complications from scarring to nerve damage and skin necrosis.
This problem is especially prevalent in neonatal hospital wards, where placing catheters in tiny veins is challenging. In these cases, the risk of extravasation can be as high as 70%. The company’s product, which uses predictive technology and a series of sensors, has the potential to detect infiltration events sooner than traditional methods.
Furthermore, a recent NHS resolution report found that it received 444 claims related to extravasation injuries in ten years, with chemotherapy drugs being responsible for a significant percentage of settled claims and pediatric injuries representing the largest number of cases. Based on early clinical results, ivWatch’s technology has already prevented at least 15 potentially serious extravasation injuries within a short period of time.
