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Baxter's AMIA peritoneal dialysis cycler features patient-physician connectivity
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Baxter Healthcare recognized the value of simplifying the mechanics of peritoneal dialysis with AMIA, its new automated peritoneal dialysis machine.
One of the most stressful parts of the home dialysis experience is the technical requirements: operating the equipment correctly, understanding and dealing with alarms, making sure the machine does what it is supposed to do.
The United States Food and Drug Administration granted 510(k) clearance to Baxter last month for AMIA, which includes what Baxter calls its Sharesource web-based remote connectivity platform. DEKA Research and Development Corporation, which is also helping Baxter develop a new home hemodialysis machine, provided the expertise to develop AMIA’s more intuitive operation.
NN&I asked Bruce Culleton, MD, vice president and renal therapeutic area lead at Baxter, about some details on AMIA. -by Mark Neumann
NN&I: How does Sharesource improve the patient experience?
Culleton: This two-way, remote connectivity platform transfers treatment data between the patient and clinic, and offers clinicians the opportunity to review key treatment data remotely. The new system also features animated graphics and automated step-by-step instructions designed to increase the efficiency of home therapy training and administration.
NN&I: The new cycler went through a number of months of pilot testing. What did you hear from nephrologists about the new machine?
Culleton: Physicians who participated in the AMIA 1.0 pilot introduction reported high overall levels of satisfaction with the device, noting its ease-of-use, reduced cycler training time, and increased confidence with using the device. The introduction of AMIA 2.0 includes Sharesource with its two-way, remote connectivity platform.
NN&I: Does AMIA offer any efficiencies in terms of dialysate use?
Culleton: The AMIA APD system uses Baxter’s approved dialysate solutions available in the U.S. By remotely reviewing completed treatment data on a frequent basis through Sharesource, clinicians will be able to make more timely decisions on the dialysate used to meet individual patient needs.
NN&I: What else does Sharesource offer to improve patient care?
Culleton: The remote connectivity platform allows health care providers to access patient treatment data via a secure website and offers them increased visibility to monitor their home patients’ treatment information for more timely and personalized care. Sharesource also gives permitted health care providers the ability to remotely program a connected device.
AMIA is designed to improve health care practice efficiencies by reducing manual input of data and gathering both patient and clinic data into organized patient report dashboards that are easily accessed and viewed by health care providers.
Correction: An earlier version of this article said AMIA would be replacing HomeChoice. Baxter will continue to support and manufacture the HomeChoice and HomeChoice Pro PD cyclers.