Cutting edge kit could be a real life-saver (From Worcester News)

Cutting edge kit could be a real life-saver

4:50pm Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in News By James Connell

A LABORATORY has received a major boost after getting a donation of cutting-edge kit.

The Friends of Worcestershire Royal Hospital have donated a new portable, hand-held Doppler and patients with vascular conditions across the county are already seeing the benefits.

In the vascular lab, tests are carried out to help patients experiencing problems with their blood circulation. Circulatory problems are often caused by a blockage in an artery or vein, and this can be identified with the device.

Doppler testing uses a special probe pointed over an artery to test blood flow. The probe shoots sound waves at red blood cells in the artery and the speed of the cells is measured by noting how quickly the sound waves bounce back off the blood cells towards the probe.

The test works because if there is vascular disease, the blood vessels are more constricted, which causes the speed of the red blood cells to go down, giving a different read-out.

The test is completely painless and the hand-held unit speeds up the diagnostic process, meaning staff on the vascular lab can provide accurate testing for more patients every day. More than 400 tests a year will be carried out across Worcestershire. The vascular lab is a growing service across Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester, Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre and the Princess of Wales Community Hospital in Bromsgrove.

Dan Harding, vascular scientist at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The device will enable a greater number of diagnostic tests to be undertaken with modern and accurate equipment. The vascular lab and wider vascular team are extremely grateful to the Friends of Worcestershire Royal Hospital for their very kind donation.”