Tech & Innovation in Healthcare

Question: I work in a rural clinic with limited resources. Over the past year, several patients with various heart conditions have visited our clinic. We are able to perform physical examinations and take histories, but we don’t have the equipment to perform thorough diagnostics for cardiac conditions.

Are there technology solutions to help us aid our patients?

New Mexico Subscriber

Answer: Equipment limitations can certainly affect the level of care you can provide to your patients, and there are several technologies on the market that can provide the assistance you’re looking for. Here’s one example that comes to mind.

UltraSight is a software that pairs with point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) devices to guide providers to capture diagnostic cardiac ultrasound images. The software uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assist providers who are inexperienced with ultrasound imaging, so they can take high-quality images to make an informed medical decision regarding the patient’s condition. Plus, the provider can then interpret the images immediately in the clinic or pass it along to an expert for additional evaluation.

AI in the software guides the clinician to proper ultrasound probe placement, can detect where the probe is placed on the patient, and instruct the provider to capture images.

UltraSight received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance in July 2023 and is designed for use in several healthcare settings, including clinics, community hospitals, remote or rural locations, and ambulances.