A groundbreaking clinical study conducted by National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) reveals that Aco Healthcare’s Apache neo handheld ultrasound dramatically accelerates clinical decision-making, significantly shortening hospital stays without compromising patient safety.

The IRB-approved study, led by Principal Investigator Dr. Pi-Chun Chuang and guided by NTUH Profs. Chun-Jen Liu and Han-Mo Chiu, evaluated the device’s impact on inpatient gastroenterology consultations. The results proved that point-of-care ultrasound is a critical driver for hospital efficiency.

Clinical Highlights at a Glance

• 1,353 Minutes Saved: Image acquisition time plummeted from 1,949 minutes (traditional carts) to just 596 minutes, allowing for immediate bedside diagnosis.
• Up to 7.8 Days Shorter Stays: Average hospital stays were reduced by 4.6 days (18.0 vs. 22.6 days). For patients with abnormal liver function, stays were shortened by up to 7.8 days.
• 87.5% Diagnostic Accuracy: Proven highly reliable when compared to traditional cart-based ultrasound systems.
• Immediate Treatment Impact: Bedside scanning led to early changes in clinical management for 1 in 8 patients (12.5%).

Bringing Imaging Directly to the Point of Care

As healthcare systems face mounting pressures from staff shortages and high patient volumes, traditional cart-based ultrasound systems often cause severe scheduling bottlenecks.

The Apache neo solves this by being entirely wireless and pocket-sized. It empowers physicians to perform high-resolution scans directly during daily ward rounds and emergency consults. By transforming ultrasound from a “scheduled procedure” into an “instant bedside tool,” medical teams can identify lesions earlier and adjust treatment strategies on the spot.

Global Recognition & Future Outlook

Highlighting the global significance of this clinical breakthrough, the study’s findings were successfully selected for the Poster Tour at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2026. Aco Healthcare stated that it will continue to collaborate closely with medical centers and clinical experts to expand the adoption of handheld ultrasound across a broader range of specialties and care settings.

With the full support of its parent company, Compal Electronics, Aco Healthcare continues to lead the way in smart healthcare innovation. By driving evidence-based applications of handheld ultrasound, the company will continuously evaluate the clinical value of the Apache neo in streamlining workflows, enhancing care efficiency, and optimizing medical resource utilization.