Each year ECRI publishes a list of the top 10 technology hazards to inform the healthcare community about key safety issues. The list focuses on problems that result from the risks inherent to the use of certain types or combinations of medical technologies. The Top 10 Hazards list is often derived from user-submitted reports of medical-device-related events or near misses.  Each hazard is carefully evaluated by ECRI to determine if it could cause serious injury or death, how it occurs, is the hazard is seen in multiple care environments, could the hazard lead to other problems if not recognized or corrected, and is the hazard preventable. 

Ranking # 4 on the 2023 list of Top 10 Technology Hazards, ECRI's spotlight brings attention to the gravity of Venous Needle Dislodgement (VND) and Access-Bloodline Separation, a potentially life-threatening but preventable complication of hemodialysis that can happen to any dialysis patient at any time. Instead of blood being pumped back to the patient after being cleaned by the dialysis machine; blood is rapidly pumped out of the patient's body through a disconnected venous needle or bloodline tubing.  Immediate detection is crucial due to how rapidly blood loss occurs and the fact that signs or symptoms of blood loss may not appear until they have already lost 30% to 40% of total blood volume. Often, such events cannot be detected by a hemodialysis machine's venous pressure monitor - and so will not produce an alarm. The result is uncontrolled blood loss, that if not quickly detected, evolves into major hemorrhage and loss of all the patient's blood in a matter of minutes. Although VND is not a new patient safety problem, being ranked in ECRI's Top 10 Technology Hazards highlights the seriousness of the preventable accident. ECRI emphasizes protective measures as the use of a blood leak detector for patients at home, for those who are restless or disoriented, and anyone at risk for VND.

The Redsense Alarm is the only blood loss detection device that is FDA cleared, CE marked, and compatible with any dialysis machine. The Alarm continuously monitors the venous access during a treatment using strategically placed sensors over the venous needle or venous bloodline catheter connection. If blood loss is detected, immediately a loud alarm is sounded, and lights appear on the alarm unit to alert the patient or caregiver. The Redsense Alarm helps mitigate blood loss, extended hospitalization, expense, and poor outcomes associated with hemorrhagic shock.

"We are pleased that ECRI highlights the risks of VND and proud to contribute to increased patient safety with products that help protect against this dangerous complication of hemodialysis. The Redsense Alarm is used by the major hemodialysis providers, especially for treatments at home, which is in line with our focus on providing patient safety" says Pontus Nobréus CEO of Redsense Medical AB.