The future of technology in intensive care was the main topic of discussion at the latest Café Scientifique held on 15 May at the Trust.
Patients, carers and the wider public were invited to Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust to learn more about how failing lungs and hearts are kept alive from Dr Brijesh Patel, who is an intensive care consultant at the Trust.
Everything from how patients end up in intensive care, to current treatments, and the future of artificial intelligence, was covered by Dr Patel, before discussion was opened up to the audience.
The Trust is one of just five NHS-commissioned centres in the UK that specialise in a particular type of life support machine for intensive care patients, known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
ECMO machines works by providing support to patients whose heart and lungs are unable to provide enough gas exchange or movement of blood to sustain life. Being on the machine allows the lungs and heart time to rest and heal.
The intensive care units at Harfield Hospital and Royal Brompton Hospital were recently recognised as ’silver’ and ‘platinum’ centres of excellence, respectively.
Dr Patel explained that although technologies are improving thanks to research there is still much to be done, especially on improving patient outcomes.
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Café Scientifique events are an opportunity for patients and the wider public to find out more about the ground-breaking research carried out at our hospitals and with our partners.
Our next Café Scientifique event is scheduled to take place on Thursday 18 July with a focus on hay fever, and will be led by Professor Stephen Durham.
Contact us for more information or to sign up to our events mailing list.