THE Abbotsford Regional Hospital’s ICU received a much needed Starling Fluid Management Monitoring System this year, thanks to the generous Auxiliary to the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and an anonymous donor.
The state-of-the-art equipment represents the latest advancements in hemodynamic monitoring, providing easy-to-use, non-invasive technology that delivers accurate and precise data for clinical decision making within seconds in critical care situations.

Starling is a portable cardiac output detector that can help a clinician determine whether a patient should be dosed with additional fluids.
As costs continue to rise the economic impact of Starling cannot be underestimated. The estimated cost savings per ARH ICU patient treated with the Starling monitor is $10,379 and the estimated overall cost savings a year for ARH ICU is $3,113,712 by utilising the Starling monitor. And the consequential benefits include: less chances of procedural costs, infection and pain; and decreased days spent in hospital.
Thanks to the donors, the ICU is now able to rely on advanced efforts to deliver patient-specific treatment rather than a one-size-fits all approach. This new technology allows clinicians to rely on stroke-volume guided fluid therapy and management across the continuum of care.
Clinical nurse educator Fiona Howarth said on Wednesday: “The right fluid management can lead to a decrease in days on dialysis and decreased days the patient is on a mechanical ventilator. We are excited that Abbotsford Regional Hospital ICU is leading the way in utilizing advanced technology to provide high quality care to all patients requiring ICU care in Fraser East.”

Donations for medical equipment such as, the Starling Fluid Management Monitoring System, makes, as Fiona highlighted, a big difference to patients in their communities, said the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation.
To support projects like this one, visit: www.fvhcf.ca.