Abstract
Cardiorespiratory diseases and stroke are among the top four leading causes of death in the EU in prehospital settings. Urgent care services are in huge need of novel Point of care (POC) computing technologies that can specifically detect patient condition and enable Hospital information system (HIS) with real-time data for triaging patients for right care. Our goal in POC4TRIAGE is to develop robust and accurate POC technologies, from POC testing (devices) to POC systems (platform) that is capable of fast diagnosis and efficient transfer of data to HIS. We will develop and clinically validate four rapid (<10 min) easy-to-use, compact, cost- and energy-efficient POC devices with Edge AI computing models, to be used in ambulance & emergency room settings. POC4TRIAGE devices include a multimodal patch for real-time monitoring of cardiorespiratory data, novel sub-hairline non-invasive EEG based head caps for rapid stroke diagnosis, including detection of large vessel occlusion stroke,a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) device for detection and continuous monitoring of brain stroke, and a handheld, rapid immunodetector to diagnose stroke with clinical utility for various conditions. These devices integrate into a new Device Hospital Connectivity Platform (DHCP) that visualizes data, uses AI from multiple devices to triage and seamlessly integrates with hospital systems and clinical workflows. The POC devices and DHCP will be clinically validated. POC4TRIAGE brings together some of Europe’s leading POC device developers, medical professionals and clinicians, patient representatives, ethics experts, data scientists, and health economists. POC4TRIAGE will shorten the time to treatment and improve clinical outcome.
POC4TRIAGE has potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery, making it more accessible and efficient, traceable, and interpretable for patients and providers alike. As the POC device and computation market is growing fast, the new POC devices, real-time data analysis, and secure computing have potential for major economic impact.
Duration: 1st July 2024 until 30th June 2028
BACKGROUND
Transforming Emergency Care: The Need for Rapid Diagnosis and Data Integration
The POC4TRIAGE project addresses the critical challenges faced by emergency care systems, particularly in prehospital and hospital settings. Emergency medical services are often overwhelmed, requiring rapid evaluation and personalized treatment for life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest, severe respiratory difficulties, trauma, chest pain, and stroke.
These conditions, which are among the leading causes of death in the EU, necessitate immediate and precise diagnostic measures. However, current limitations in communication and diagnostic capabilities, especially in ambulances, hinder effective patient management.
The project aims to develop and validate innovative point-of-care (POC) technologies that enhance early diagnosis and data sharing between emergency services and hospitals.
Key facts
2024 – 2028
Project duration
19
Projects partners
6
EU Countries
IMPACT
Revolutionizing Patient Outcomes
Through Innovative Point-of-Care Technologies
POC4TRIAGE will revolutionize emergency care by integrating advanced POC devices and a connectivity platform, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment decisions. By providing compact, cost-effective, and highly sensitive diagnostic tools, the project will reduce time-to-treatment and improve patient outcomes, particularly in cases requiring urgent care. The seamless integration of patient data with hospital information systems (HIS) will ensure that healthcare providers are better prepared to deliver the necessary care upon patient arrival, ultimately reducing mortality and morbidity rates for critical conditions. This approach will also enhance resource allocation and emergency response efficiency across Europe.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Advancing Emergency Care
Novel Diagnostic Technologies
The project will deliver four innovative POC devices tailored for emergency care: a multimodal patch for cardiorespiratory event detection, an EEG-stroke patch for large vessel occlusion stroke identification, a wearable near-infrared spectroscopy device for continuous brain stroke monitoring, and a portable immunosensor for detecting stroke-related blood biomarkers. Each device is designed to provide rapid, accurate, and specific diagnostic information directly in the ambulance or emergency room, thus significantly enhancing early intervention capabilities.
Advanced AI and Connectivity
POC4TRIAGE will develop new algorithms and edge AI computing models to run directly on the POC devices, offering fast and accurate triage estimates without relying on cloud computing. Additionally, a POC Device-Hospital Connectivity Platform (DHCP) will be created to seamlessly integrate these devices into existing HIS and clinical workflows. The platform will facilitate real-time data sharing, improve patient management, and enable coordination between different healthcare departments, thereby optimizing emergency care processes.
Clinical Validation and Market Readiness
The project will clinically validate the POC devices through studies focused on diagnostic accuracy, ease of use, speed, compactness, and cost-effectiveness. These studies will be conducted in ambulances and emergency rooms, adhering to medical device and in vitro diagnostic regulations. By proving their effectiveness in real-world scenarios, POC4TRIAGE aims to advance these technologies from prototypes to market-ready products, ensuring their integration into operational environments and laying the groundwork for future commercialization efforts.
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