Through Philanthropy, Technology Steps in to save the Day

Is it not widely known that a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality is the inability to appropriately assess excessive blood loss during childbirth. When such a situation occurs, there is an increased risk of a mother succumbing to extreme obstetric hemorrhage because effective interventions are not initiated early enough. Recently, advanced technology was developed which alerts healthcare providers to real-time blood loss monitoring, allowing for time sensitive intervention and treatment for such hemorrhages.

This technology, called Triton, saves the day. The Triton is an iPad based diagnostic platform that allows healthcare providers to help prevent maternal deaths by improving recognition of and response to hemorrhage. Until now, the visual estimation of blood loss has been standard practice. The Triton system uses artificial intelligence to automatically calculate blood loss with superior accuracy when compared to visual estimation. This equipment can be used in Operating Rooms, Labor & Delivery Suites and during Post-Partum care.

One of our very own Princeton families experienced this life-threatening circumstance first-hand and made a major gift to help fund the technology needed to protect others facing this situation. Area residents Kathleen and Michael Castellano were overjoyed at the expectation of welcoming a new grandchild into their family. As their daughter, Karen, was delivering via cesarean section, she experienced a near fatal volume of blood-loss. Thankfully, her hemorrhage was detected and treated in time to save her life. When the Castellanos heard about a technology that could vastly improve the accuracy of measuring blood loss and improving the safety and outcomes for mothers, they knew they wanted to help.

As the landscape of patient care becomes more complicated, equipping our clinicians with the very best in advanced technology improves patient care. The Triton System now enhances our best practice and prevention standards in maternal mortality and morbidity.

Philanthropy helped make this opportunity possible. The Castellano’s story has a happy ending and as they count their blessings, a patient room will be dedicated in the names after their daughters Susan Evans & Karen Castellano-Smith. This gift will save the lives of mothers giving birth at our hospital and support our mission of providing outstanding, innovative, and exceptional care to our community.

On behalf of the patients and families that we serve, The Princeton Medical Center is thankful to the Castellanos for this very important donation.

Article as seen in Foundation News Fall 2020.

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