WSVN — Ear infections are frustrating and painful for parents and kids! Now new technology is allowing parents to find out if their child has an ear infection without ever leaving home! 7’s Diana Diaz shows us how this Digital Diagnosis works.
Like a lot of little ones, 3-year-old Shane has already made many trips to the doctor’s office.
Melissa Emihovich: “Both my boys have had lots of ear infections. Usually it’s up in the middle of the night, tugging on their ear, crying.”
Pediatrician Chad Rudnick says ear infections are very common in young kids.
Dr. Chad Rudnick: “Eighty percent of children before the age of three will have their first ear infection.”
But unlike a cough or runny nose, it’s hard for a parent to know exactly what’s going on.
Dr. Chad Rudnick: “Ear infections are one of those that are most difficult because it’s something the parent can’t see.”
Until now!
Dr. Chad Rudnick: “We’re very excited to be the first private office in the entire United States that has a brand new device that attaches to the iPhone.”
It’s called Oto HOME. The technology, created by Cellscope, allows parents to check their child’s ear drum from home and get a diagnosis within minutes!
Melissa Emihovich: “So very easy to use.”
Here’s how it works: The parent snaps the device onto their iPhone, then downloads the app.
Dr. Chad Rudnick: “The app tells them exactly where they need to go inside of the child’s ear.”
The technology guides them and tells them when they’ve found the ear drum. Then the parent hits record.
Dr. Chad Rudnick: “All they have to do is hit submit. The video gets sent to me, I receive a notification and within minutes. I can evaluate that ear drum, see whether or not there’s an infection and then start treatment if needed right away.”
…Saving mom or dad that trip to the pediatrician’s office.
Melissa Emihovich: “Right away Dr. Rudnick called and said ‘Yup, that’s an ear infection and called in the antibiotic to our pharmacy.'”
Dr. Rudnick warns this is not a device for parents to diagnose on their own. A doctor must analyze the video and recommend treatment.
Melissa Emihovich: “Let me look in your ear.”
Melissa tried using the device at home and loved it! She says it was easy and saved her another doctor’s visit!
Melissa Emihovich: “Anything that saves time is a great thing.”
Right now, the device is only available if you are a patient of Dr. Rudnick’s. But the hope is soon any parent can purchase the device, which costs about $100.
In the Plex, Diana Diaz, 7News.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.BocaVIPediatrics.com
www.cellscope.com