Asiri Hospitals unveils ground – breaking ROTEM machine

Asiri Surgical Hospital (ASH) has achieved another pioneering step by introducing the first ever Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) machine to Sri Lanka, bringing hope and instant relief to patients suffering from bleeding, caused by various coagulopathies.

Rotational Thromboelastometry is commonly used for the diagnosis and treatment and follow up of patients suffering from illnesses that cause bleeding and thrombosis.

At the introduction to this machine was one of India’s foremost authorities on thromboelastometry, Prof. Sukesh Nair, who delivered a presentation on the diagnosis, the use, control and treatments to the team of doctors and nurses of the Asiri Hospital.

As the Head and Professor of the Department of Transfusion Medicine and Immunohaematology in the world-renowned Christian Medical College and Hospital in Vellore, Prof. Nair has been one of the pioneers in research and treatment for patients suffering from blood related diseases and in the field of coagulation and is presently focused on the development of a good global haemostatic test closer to physiology.

Speaking at the lecture, Prof. Nair said, “This is one of the few clinically proven machines that are known to simplify and accelerate the management of acute bleeding situations. It can analyse whole blood samples within 10 minutes, allowing doctors and hospital staff to monitor and control targeted coagulation therapies in double quick time.”

This one-of-a-kind easy-to-use ROTEM delta system is commonly used as a leading point-of-care diagnostic solution for acute bleeding management where minutes count to stop the bleeding and in saving lives. It is used in the treatment for illnesses that are caused by internal haemorrhage like haemophilia and bleeding following cardiac and neurosurgery and trauma.

The ROTEM allows for the monitoring and quick control of therapies and enables the reduced usage of blood products. This, in turn, improves the outcome of the patient’s condition faster and allows for the stabilisation of the patient’s condition. The ROTEM is an effective tool in the management of haemostasis, hence it is widely used in Western countries as a point-of-care instrument.

Dr. K.K.D.G. Jayaweera, Consultant Transfusiologist and Head of the Department of Transfusion Medicine at ASH said: “The ROTEM device aims to become the leading point-of-care diagnostic solution for acute bleeding management where minutes count to stop the bleeding and in saving lives. This technology will provide a differential diagnosis for acute bleeding management helping clinicians and laboratory technicians to select and monitor targeted therapies.”

Dr. Manjula Karunaratne, COO Asiri Hospitals said: “This is another instance where our hospital is making great strides in bringing the best health care to the people of this country. This machine is not only safe and 100 percent accurate in its diagnosis, but also has a significant cost saving for the patients.”

Prof. Nair has, previously, consulted for the Sri Lanka College of Anaesthesiologists and Critical Care at the National Hospital’s Haematology Department. He was also instrumental in training 12 technicians for the National Hospital and five technicians for the Lady Ridgeway Hospital in the treatment and aftercare following surgery. Prof. Nair has been invited by the Medical Research Institute (MRI) to give a lecture on platelet studies.  

His reputation in clinical haematology and laboratory haematology has made him one of the most sought after medical experts around the world. He is often called upon to deliver presentational lectures in Europe, Australia and the US. He has published numerous papers on the treatment of rotational thromboelastometry and the use of the ROTEM machine.

The ASH has already sent two of its technicians to the Christian Medical College and Hospital in Vellore to be trained under Prof. Nair in the use of rotational thromboelastometry. The machine is installed at the Asiri Surgical Hospital, making this accessible to all in-house and out-patients. The addition of this machine is indicative of the advancements at the Asiri Group of Hospitals, making it the leading health care facility in the country.