Caring for the tiniest, most vulnerable patients

QRS Healthcare, one of Asker’s companies, played a critical role in the successful implementation of an innovative IV therapy solution at a children’s hospital in the Netherlands.

The non-invasive technology, called ivWatch, uses advanced optics to continuously monitor the status of the patient’s IV and alerts the hospital staff of any changes in the tissue that indicate potential infiltration. QRS participated right from the testing phase until the sub-sequent implementation of the ivWatch system at Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis (WKZ) in Utrecht, from the start until the end. The tests showed that the technology had a significant impact as it reduced the risk of IV-related injuries, which previously occurred every week, and prevented unnecessary pain and complications for infants born prematurely.

QRS provided active support and expertise

During the initial test phase, QRS was on-hand to support the hospital staff around the clock. New medical equipment can often be met by resistance due to perceived complexities or additional work load, but QRS ensured a smooth introduction by providing constant support and handling any concerns or questions in real time. QRS worked closely with the manufacturer and inventor, ivWatch, to deliver solutions quickly, ensuring that hospital staff felt they were fully supported.

Observing the solution’s life-changing benefits up close

“During the test period our team had the unique chance to observe the nurses when they took care of these tiny, fragile new babies. It was an incredibly special, but sometimes difficult, experience. Seeing these infants, so tiny and delicate, for whom even the slightest IV movement can have serious consequences, left a deep impression on our team”, says Alex van der Putten, Managing Director at QRS.

Training and support ensured a smooth transition

When ivWatch was officially purchased by the hospital, QRS once again took an active role in the project. QRS ensured that the system was implemented flawlessly by providing training and support to the hospital staff so they could use the equipment confidently, and integrate the innovation seamlessly into their work.

The advantages of the technology soon became apparent. Since the implementation of ivWatch, no incidents of IV infiltration or extravasation have been reported, a substantial improvement from the previous weekly occurrences.

“Our goal was to ensure that the WKZ team could make full use of the benefits of ivWatch, which led to better outcomes for their tiniest and most vulnerable of patients. Working with everybody involved, we have made a significant and positive difference to the patients at WKZ, and we are proud to have been part of this journey”, says Alex van der Putten.

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