Cytovale Welcomes Rhonda Collins as Chief Nursing Officer
Cytovale®, a pioneering medical diagnostics firm based in San Francisco, has made significant strides in the healthcare landscape by appointing Rhonda Collins, DNP, RN, FAAN, as its inaugural Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). This strategic move aims to bolster the company's efforts in improving patient outcomes through innovative sepsis detection solutions.
Dr. Collins brings over three decades of nursing experience and health IT leadership to Cytovale. Her extensive background includes impressive executive roles and a committed focus on leveraging technology in clinical settings. Prior to joining Cytovale, Dr. Collins held the position of CNO at Kontakt.io and Vocera Communications. In these roles, she prioritized aligning technology with the practical needs of healthcare facilities, thereby enhancing patient care.
One of the key objectives of Dr. Collins's new role is to promote the implementation of nurse-driven sepsis protocols utilizing the groundbreaking IntelliSep® solution. This technology has demonstrated promising results, with studies showing a 30% reduction in risk-adjusted mortality rates in hospitals that incorporate IntelliSep as part of their emergency department protocols. Cytovale CEO Ajay Shah emphasizes the importance of Dr. Collins's expertise in navigating nursing workflows and the integration of new technologies as vital to expanding the adoption of these life-saving protocols.
Dr. Collins states, "The challenge of diagnosing sepsis looms large in emergency medicine due to its vague symptoms. The urgency of effective diagnosis cannot be overstated, given that mortality rates rise sharply with each passing hour without treatment. Our goal at Cytovale is to equip nurses and clinicians with accurate and rapid diagnostic tools, ensuring that patients receive timely care."
The IntelliSep® product, now cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is designed to provide rapid assessments of patients' immune responses, thereby facilitating quicker diagnoses of sepsis. This innovative tool can generate results within eight minutes from a standard blood draw, a game-changer in emergency medical settings.
Dr. Collins's track record in nurse innovation makes her a fitting addition to Cytovale's executive team. Her previous accolades include recognition as one of Becker's Hospital Review's Women to Watch in Health IT for four consecutive years, and being named a fellow by the American Academy of Nursing. Both honorifics underline her commitment to advancing nursing standards and patient safety across the healthcare system. Furthermore, her leadership is anticipated to encourage more hospitals nationwide to adopt nurse-driven protocols for various conditions, similar to existing models for STEMI and stroke.
As Dr. Collins takes on this pivotal role, she joins Dave Vort, who has recently been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer. Together, they will spearhead efforts to enhance the reach of Cytovale’s IntelliSep technology, making it accessible to a broader spectrum of hospital emergency departments across the United States. Dr. Collins's passion for patient care, coupled with Cytovale's cutting-edge technology, promises significant improvements in how sepsis is treated in hospital settings.
In conclusion, with Rhonda Collins at the helm overseeing nursing affairs, Cytovale is poised to make substantial advancements in its mission to revolutionize sepsis diagnosis and treatment protocols. The healthcare industry continues to evolve, and with leaders like Dr. Collins fostering innovation, improved patient outcomes are within reach. For more updates on Cytovale and its initiatives, visit
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