Coffee and Coronary Artery Stents
The article discusses how the medical device industry can learn from the leading coffee chain, particularly in terms of leveraging technology to improve patient care. It highlights the potential for apps to provide patients with vital information about their implanted devices, such as cardiac valves or stents. These apps could offer details about the device's size, model, and manufacturer, as well as connect patients with others who have undergone similar procedures. The idea is to empower patients with accessible information and foster a sense of community, much like how apps in other industries enhance user experience.
Check out this Huffington Post article, authored by BioWallet co-founder, Dr. Jordan Safirstein in 2015. The article, written several years before co-founding BioWallet, discusses how the medical device industry can learn from a leading coffee chain, particularly in terms of leveraging technology to improve patient care. It highlights the potential for apps to provide patients with vital information about their implanted devices, such as cardiac valves or stents. These apps could offer details about the device's size, model, and manufacturer, as well as connect patients with others who have undergone similar procedures. The idea is to empower patients with accessible information and foster a sense of community, much like how apps in other industries enhance user experience.
The Forgotten Stent: Why Digital Implant Cards Matter Even More for “Templants”
More than 1.5 million ureteral stents are placed annually in the US. The tiny metal scaVold resides within the patient’s body, a silent guardian against kidney stones. But this ureteral stent is a temporary savior that shouldn't become a permanent resident. Unfortunately, many ureteral stents are "forgotten," left in place long after their intended purpose. This oversight can lead to serious complications, from painful infections to life-threatening kidney damage. A 2024 review published in the journal BMC Urology reported that the primary reason for excessive indwelling stent time patient-related (83.9%), which included poor compliance, lapse in memory, and misconceptions about the necessity of timely removal. Studies have found that stents were forgotten in up to 0.9–12.0% of patients.
More than 1.5 million ureteral stents are placed annually in the US. The tiny metal scaVold resides within the patient’s body, a silent guardian against kidney stones. But this ureteral stent is a temporary savior that shouldn't become a permanent resident. Unfortunately, many ureteral stents are "forgotten," left in place long after their intended purpose. This oversight can lead to serious complications, from painful infections to life-threatening kidney damage. A 2024 review published in the journal BMC Urology reported that the primary reason for excessive indwelling stent time patient-related (83.9%), which included poor compliance, lapse in memory, and misconceptions about the necessity of timely removal. Studies have found that stents were forgotten in up to 0.9–12.0% of patients.
The Problem with Traditional Methods
The traditional method of tracking these temporary implants relies on flimsy paper cards. These cards are easily lost, misplaced, or disregarded by patients. This forgetfulness has serious consequences:
Increased Morbidity: Delayed removal significantly increases the risk of infections, stent encrustation, and decline in kidney function.
Surgical Challenges: Removing a forgotten stent can be complex and costly, often requiring invasive procedures.
Patient SuVering: Patients endure unnecessary pain, discomfort, and potential long-term health issues.
Enter BioWallet's Implant Tracker
BioWallet's Implant Tracker platform revolutionizes how patients manage their temporary implants ("Templants"). By digitizing the implant card and storing it directly on patients' smartphones (Apple Wallet or Google Wallet), we ensure the critical information is always accessible and readily available:
• Always at Your Patient’s Fingertips: The digital card is instantly accessible, eliminating the risk of misplacing or forgetting a physical card.
• Enhanced Patient Compliance: The digital card can integrate reminders, prompting patients to make timely follow-up appointments and removal procedures.
• Improved Communication: Healthcare providers can easily access patient implant information, facilitating better coordination of care and reducing the risk of forgotten implants.
Beyond Ureteral Stents
The benefits of Implant Tracker extend beyond ureteral stents. It's equally crucial for other "Templants," including, but not limited to, IUDs and Inferior Vena Cava Filters
A. Intrauterine Devices (IUDs): Timely removal is essential for women planning pregnancy. A retained IUD (intrauterine device) can pose several dangers, including an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, infection, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and complications during pregnancy if conception occurs while the IUD is still in place, potentially leading to issues like placental abruption, placenta accreta, and septic abortion; in rare cases, a misplaced IUD could also perforate the uterus and migrate into the abdominal cavity causing further complications.
B. Inferior Vena Cava Filters: These devices prevent blood clots but should be removed when no longer needed.
Empowering Patients, Enhancing Care
BioWallet's Implant Tracker empowers patients to take an active role in their healthcare. By providing a secure and accessible digital solution, we aim to reduce the risk of forgotten implants, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the overall quality of care. This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns regarding your medical implants.
References:
1. Wang, X., Ji, Z., Yang, P. et al. Forgotten ureteral stents: a systematic review of literature. BMC Urol 24, 52 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-024-01440-9