Published on February 11, 2013 at 7:34 AM
Fresenius Medical Care (NYSE: FMS), the world's largest provider of dialysis products and services, announced today its introduction of the WetAlert wireless wetness detector, designed to detect venous needle displacement and prevent blood loss for dialysis patients at home. The WetAlert transmitter is the only device in the U.S. market that senses moisture at the venous needle site and sets off a process to automatically stop the blood pump, close the venous clamp, display a visual alarm, and sound an audible alarm. The device transmits radio signals directly to the 2008K@home machine. It is unique and highly effective in design, and reusable for up to six months.
Venous needle dislodgement (VND) is a potential, serious complication related to dialysis therapy. If the venous needle becomes dislodged or disconnected from the patient's vascular access, it could cause the patient to hemmorhage.
"The WetAlert wireless wetness detector is a brand new option that may help reduce the fear of blood leaks during home dialysis because the blood pump stops on the 2008K@home machine, thereby decreasing the amount of potential blood loss if VND occurs," said Dr. Jose Diaz-Buxo, MD, FACP, Chief Medical Officer at Fresenius Medical Care. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the WetAlert wireless wetness detector for use.
Source: Fresenius Medical Care