Rural diagnostics project relies on portable ultrasound

Point-of-care ultrasound helped Dr Fiona Witham to diagnose a wide range of pathologies in patients living in a remote rural area.

Clinicians participating in the Ukraine Christian Partnership’s (UCP) Summer Mission were assisted by a Fujifilm SonoSite Edge point-of-care ultrasound system to diagnose a wide range of pathologies.

Dr Fiona Witham, a consultant radiologist travelling with the group, explained: “This year’s UCP Summer Mission was to an area of subsistence farming in Zakarpattia Oblast.  Medical professionals made up about a third of the group, and we provided diagnoses and limited treatment to villagers from across the area.  Because our aid and advice is independent, the villagers know that we only have their best interests at heart, helping them to judge the next steps they need to take with their treatment.

“When I looked into obtaining a system for the first mission 13 years ago, everyone I spoke to recommended SonoSite,” she added.  “The company has supported every trip I’ve been on, providing a lightweight and robust system that I could carry in my hand luggage.”

See the full report on page 32 of the May 2017 issue of RAD Magazine.