Manila, Philippines - – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, has a broad portfolio of ultrasound products and solutions that can help hospitals in examining critical COVID-19 patients. By simplifying the process of diagnostic imaging, ultrasound can improve the overall hospital experience for both patients and healthcare professionals.
Computer tomography (CT) is considered the modality of choice when diagnosing pulmonary damage. Hence, this is the most common method used in healthcare institutions for COVID-19 bedside patient management. Although CT is a reliable diagnostic imaging method, this is not always readily available in emergency room settings.
Studies have shown that lung ultrasound for COVID-19 patient management could provide care providers with a safe and efficient alternative for diagnostic imaging, other than CT1. Ultrasound is considered to be one of the most important technologies to improve access to care in limited resource settings. Its role in improving emergency medicine is very important as it is a first-line diagnostic tool.
In Philippines, the need for a more accessible imaging modality will help in diagnosis and treatment management. At Philips, we recognized this need and there we have mobilized our handheld/portable ultrasound systems to assigned COVID-19 referral centers to equip our front liners.