A UK plastic surgeon who developed a hand surgery table to improve the patient experience could see his design go global.
Matthew Gardiner is the associate medical director for research and the consultant hand and plastic surgeon at Frimley Health Foundation Trust in Surrey, England.
Now, thanks to networking with interested parties from international markets, including the US, Australia and Canada, his design can be used by surgeons worldwide.
Matthew’s innovation was one of the successful bids at the health trust’s CEO Change Challenge, which aims to get frontline staff more involved in designing and delivering change for themselves.
This secured £7,800 to build the prototype, enabling further testing to refine the hand surgery system. Frimley Health Charity provided the funding.
The Trust reports that the table, known as ‘The Gardiner Hand Surgery System,’ elevates surgical performance to a new level.
‘Patients can sit up throughout the procedure. The table attaches to the operating bed, allowing the surgeon to position the limb more easily. This new technique is safer for the patient and provides a much more comfortable experience for all involved.’
Matthew felt that a better-designed table would create a more comfortable patient experience and avoid the inconvenience and discomfort of lying down.
He said: ‘Patient safety and comfort were the main drivers. Many have conditions that make lying flat very difficult and uncomfortable. Some ended up having general anaesthesia only because they were unable to tolerate lying flat whilst awake.;
Trials with the new system allowed patients to sit up and read while their operations were carried out or even watch the surgery. The table’s design also includes a screen option for those who would rather not watch the surgeon at work.
Anetic Aid Ltd, a leading UK-based designer and hospital equipment manufacturer, produced the final design.
Mark Lee, the company’s product manager, said part of the brief was to ensure the new table was lightweight, quick, and simple to use, making it easier for the operating staff to set up.
He said: ‘Matt was looking to bring some efficiency to theatre time and increase the number of surgeries performed during the day. It provides good surgical access in a variety of positions. It’s the perfect solution for high volume, low complexity hand surgery.’
Anetic Aid’s branch in Texas is also very keen to promote it. ‘Our manager there can also see the scope of it becoming popular in the US. There’s nothing else like it on the market.’
Other trusts around the UK are trialling the Gardiner Hand Surgery System. Matt has also spoken at medical conferences in Australia and Canada, where they have expressed interest in using it.
