A UK technology that aims to transform regional anaesthesia into a single operator procedure and improve patient safety, will be demonstrated live by a clinician in the field of anaesthesia at Arab Health 2022.
The procedure is being carried out in an operating theatre located in the UK Pavilion by Dr Emad Fawzy, a consultant anaesthetist at the flagship Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi.
SAFIRA has been developed by medical device company Medovate in collaboration with clinicians from the NHS.
The award-winning device gives anaesthetists full control of injection, as well as enhancing confidence through a built-in safety mechanism to automatically limit injection pressure to less than 20psi, thus helping to reduce the risk of nerve injury in patients.
The live demonstration will take part in the UK’s operating theatre as part of a series of back-to-back surgical simulations taking place on the ABHI UK Pavilion.
Dr Fawzy, who was previously based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust in the UK as part of the team of clinical specialists behind the pioneering device, will demonstrate the device and share his experiences of introducing the pioneering new technology into clinical practice.
Dr Fawzy said: “I am delighted to be able to demonstrate such a pioneering UK-developed device at Arab Health 2022. The device is already in use by clinicians across the world and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, including reports of how the technology facilitates hydro-dissection and a reduction in the amount of local anaesthetic required for a successful block. It is a great privilege to be able to showcase such an innovative device in the Middle East.”
Recent studies have sparked new enthusiasm for regional anaesthesia across the world with evidence indicating improved clinical outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the European and American Societies of Regional Anesthesia both produced joint COVID-19 recommendations boldly stating that regional anaesthesia should be preferred over general anaesthesia as the need to minimise aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) took precedence.
As demand for such procedures increase globally, SAFIRA has the potential to make a significant impact in areas such as the MENA region. The device recently won the HSJ Patient Safety Innovation of the Year 2021.
Chris Rogers, sales and marketing director at Medovate, said: “We are thrilled to be demonstrating our innovative device for regional anaesthesia, SAFIRA, at this year’s Arab Health. The unique technology has been developed in collaboration with clinical innovators within the NHS and it is a fantastic demonstration of how the UK’s NHS can be a true driver for innovation. We are excited to be joining the ABHI UK Pavilion to offer the world-class audiences at Arab Health a chance to see our revolutionary device up close and in action.”
As well as finding out about SAFIRA, visitors to the Medovate stand will also be able to discover more about the company and its unique portfolio of innovative medical devices, all developed with clinicians from the NHS. Medovate is dedicated to working closely with both the NHS and clinicians in the UK to identify, develop and commercialise innovative medical devices with a focus on improving patient safety on a global scale.
Arab Health takes place 24 January – 27 January 2020 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE. Throughout the show, Medovate will be located in Hall 2 – H2.H52A.
The demonstration of SAFIRA, led by Dr Emad Fawzy, will take place on Tuesday 25th January 11-30 - 12-30.