ULTRASOUND GASTROSTOMY IS HERE.
the first FDA-cleared, ultrasound-based solution for bedside feeding tube placement
Shown to Significantly Reduce Per-Patient Hospital Cost and ICU Length of Stay
Houghton et al. 2024; Marshall et al. 2022;
The PUMA-G System
Benefits
Proven Reduction in Hospital Costs
Compared to the total cost of PEG procedures, the PUMA-G System delivers a significant reduction in hospital costs, substantial savings from shorter ICU and hospital lengths of stay, and revenue enhancement through optimization of suite productivity. (See Marshall, 2022 and Houghton, 2024 Studies, Below)
Performance
The FDA-cleared PUMA-G System has been successfully and safely used for bedside gastrostomy in several different settings where ultrasound is available - in many types of ICUs, as well as step-down units, ‘floor’ units, IR suites, and Long-Term Acute Care hospitals, by physicians and APPs.
Safety
The PUMA-G System can reduce risks from PEG blind sticks (organ damage); endoscope reprocessing (infections); or fluoroscopy (cancer) by enabling ultrasound visualization of tissue from stomach wall to surface.
Speed
Scheduling logjams for an operating suite can delay patient care and increase costs. Gastrostomy procedures done at the bedside leverage the skills of physicians at the point of care and results in more efficient patient care.
Implementing a Bedside Percutaneous Tracheostomy and Ultrasound Gastrostomy Team Reduces Length of Stay and Hospital Costs Across Multiple Critical Care Units in a 1500 Bed Tertiary Care Center
Landmark study published in 2024 demonstrated $34,778 reduction in per-patient hospital costs, driven by 10-day ICU Length of Stay Reduction
Length of Stay and Hospital Cost Reductions After Implementing Bedside Percutaneous Ultrasound Gastrostomy (PUG) in a Critical Care Unit
Groundbreaking study was published in May 2022 assessing efficiency advantages of PUG procedures compared to usual care (i.e. PEG or PRG). Results show 5-day ICULOS reduction, 8-day hospital LOS reduction, and $26,621 reduction in total hospital costs per patient. To access the full paper, click the link below.
COVID Pandemic: Tracheostomy + Percutaneous Ultrasound Gastrostomies (a.k.a. “TPUG”)
A study was conducted during in October 2020 to assess safety and efficacy of a tandem procedure combining Tracheostomy and Percutaneous Ultrasound Gastrostomy (TPUG) in COVID patients. To access the study abstract, click the link below.
PUG vs. PRG Retrospective Study
A 25-patient study out of Columbia University published in May 2021 in the Journal of Intensive Care Medicine compares PUG with PRG. Results demonstrate that PUG (1) is a safe bedside procedure; (2) can be performed by ultrasound trained physicians; and (3) reduces transport and care delays in COVID-19 patients. To access the full paper, click the link below.
