The Mobile Ultrasound Patrol Project that was done in collaboration with Qualcomm® Wireless ReachTM , SonoSite-Fuji Film, Sony and Trice Imaging is nominated in the category, the “Best Mobile Innovation for Health”
Every day, around the world, approximately 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. 99% of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries and the rate is higher among women living in rural areas, and in poorer communities. Many high-risk conditions such as multiple pregnancies, placenta previa, abnormal fetal presentation and ectopic pregnancies can only be detected via an ultrasound
In a trial performed in Morocco, the Mobile Ultrasound Patrol Project equipped health care professionals working in resource-poor communities with a small, mobile ultrasound machine and Internet-connected mobile devices, allowing them to perform ultrasound exams on pregnant women and, within seconds, wirelessly transmit the images to a prenatal specialist anywhere in the world for a second opinion. This approach to early detection and treatment of placenta complications greatly increases the mother’s chances of a healthy, safe pregnancy.
The project resulted reduced diagnostic review times from two weeks to less than 24 hours, and the cost fell from $80 to $2 per patient. It also increased the medical practitioner’s skills to deliver ultrasounds from 20% sufficient for diagnostic purposes to 92% sufficient for diagnostics.
The time and cost efficiencies gained, without any compromise in quality, improves the likelihood for early detection and treatment of the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality which could, ultimately, reduce the number of maternal and child deaths.