Cariti 2024-2025

Cariti – highlighting infections from the dark.

When a patient has a serious bacterial infection but it is unclear where in the body it is, doctors worry about the infection residing in the heart. Endocarditis is a deadly infection of the heart and due to its severe mortality rate, doctors need to be able to rule out the infection, but this is often difficult. Diagnosis relies on several exams, some of which are invasive, not easily available and require several staff. Meanwhile doctors take a ‘better safe than sorry approach’ and often treat patients with high dose antibiotics whilst diagnosing.

We have been validating the need through expert interviews, supported by literature research and guidelines, and following cardiologist during diagnosis of the infection.

Solution

Our solution is offering a more reliable, non-invasive, and cost-effective alternative to current diagnostics. This will add value for not just the patient by ensuring they receive the right treatment faster and avoiding invasive exams, but also empower healthcare staff to diagnose the patients with confidence. On a hospital level we will save costs by providing a cheaper and more reliable alternative to current diagnostics.

The idea developed from looking at the patient journey of patients suspected of endocarditis, and seeing when and where an intervention would create the most value.

The Team

By combining our competencies from academia, clinical expertise, and user research, the project has matured, and is able to continue post-BMD.