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Tripoli, 2 February 2013:
A blood-testing device that can . . .[restrict]quickly take measurements, including haemoglobin levels and pulse rate, without the use of needles will soon be used at blood donation centres across the country.
Pronto-7, the handheld device made by American firm Masimo, will reduce patient discomfort and risks of infection, in a country where medical centres have a poor hygiene record.
A French nurse working in hospitals around the country last year told the Libya Herald that surgical instruments were not sterilised and infection rates were high. She added that the risk of infection meant many patients chose not to undergo minor operations.
Without the use of needles, Pronto-7 will reduce such risks. It will also speed up the testing process with results delivered in less than a minute, dispensing with the need for time-consuming laboratory analysis. The device also saves on equipment, such as needles and syringes, and reduces medical waste.
“The Pronto-7’s accuracy, portability and ease-of-use helps clinicians protect donors from unintentional harm,” said Dr. Nurideen Abdulhamid Dagman, Minister of Health and former director of the Benghazi Central Blood Bank. “With the use of advanced technologies such as the Pronto-7, Libya is demonstrating its commitment to patient safety.”
Masimo announced that Libya has become the first country to use Pronto-7 in all its major blood donation centres at the annual healthcare exhibition in Dubai, Arab Health.
“Donating blood prior to your own surgical procedure or for those of friends and family members is common practice throughout the Middle East,” Masimo said. It added that, although Libya has been using non-invasive equipment to monitor haemoglobin levels in its operating theatres since 2008, the country’s blood donation centres were still using invasive methods.
The CEO of Masimo, Joe Kian, said that the introduction of Pronto-7 showed “the country’s commitment to adopting advanced medical technologies that improve patient care and safety.” [/restrict]
