TCBI: Indiana University Health's ePartners improves care
A peek into Indiana University Health’s remote bedside monitoring program is a glimpse into the future. Dubbed ePartners, the program oversees 305 patient beds in four hospitals located in Indiana, allowing clinicians to interface with patients and nurses, as well as perform hands-free patient checks, explained Renee Johnson, RN, MBA, IT clinical project manager, at the Third Annual Medical Device Connectivity Conference & Exhibition in Boston, hosted by The Center for Business Innovation.
The virtual care program resulted in increased patient safety, workflow improvement as well as financial benefits, Johnson told attendees Friday, Sept. 9. Throughout 305 inpatient hospital rooms exists a virtual monitoring system that allows nurses and clinicians to remotely monitor patients from a bunker in Indiana University Health’s level one trauma center located in downtown Indianapolis. Monitored hospitals exist within 30 miles from the telemedicine center, where the program oversees 11 ICUs and four progressive care units.
In one hospital alone, the program was found to have saved 655 lives between 2005 and 2010, according to Johnson.
“This started as an ICU program and we’ve taken it from ICU into progressive care,” Johnson said. “Eventually, we would like to implement it in acute inpatient units as well.”
Patient data is transmitted to the remote location where clinicians and nurses can monitor trends and assess patients. Two-way cameras allow the remote monitors to interface with patients and others that may be present in the hospital room. An “easy button” in every room allows whoever is there to quickly connect with ePartners, and an integrated dashboard informs clinicians about patient conditions. Additionally, real-time alerts notify the team of serious problems.
“The camera is probably one of the scariest parts of the program, although it’s the smallest part in a lot of ways,” she said. “We have two way video in about one third of our rooms right now. There is a 19-inch monitor in the rooms so patients, family and clinicians can see in the bunker, as well as us seeing them.”
The camera also features a “stealth mode” that allows clinicians to view the room before entering, to ensure they’re not interrupting a delicate conversation, surgery or other situation. Importantly, Johnson noted, video is in real time only, and is not saved. “This is not surveillance,” she said. “Basically clinicians look at the beginning of their shift, the end of their shift or when they’re asked to come in.”
What did the program need to be successful? Real-time physiologic data and trends, alarms and alerts, an easy button from the patient rooms, integrated EMRs, audio and visual into rooms, as well as the people, noted Johnson.
“Our mortality has dropped dramatically, all of our rates have dropped,” said Johnson. “It’s not just because of ePartners that this is happening, it’s ePartners working with the team that is helping our hospital meet these goals.”
The virtual care program resulted in increased patient safety, workflow improvement as well as financial benefits, Johnson told attendees Friday, Sept. 9. Throughout 305 inpatient hospital rooms exists a virtual monitoring system that allows nurses and clinicians to remotely monitor patients from a bunker in Indiana University Health’s level one trauma center located in downtown Indianapolis. Monitored hospitals exist within 30 miles from the telemedicine center, where the program oversees 11 ICUs and four progressive care units.
In one hospital alone, the program was found to have saved 655 lives between 2005 and 2010, according to Johnson.
“This started as an ICU program and we’ve taken it from ICU into progressive care,” Johnson said. “Eventually, we would like to implement it in acute inpatient units as well.”
Patient data is transmitted to the remote location where clinicians and nurses can monitor trends and assess patients. Two-way cameras allow the remote monitors to interface with patients and others that may be present in the hospital room. An “easy button” in every room allows whoever is there to quickly connect with ePartners, and an integrated dashboard informs clinicians about patient conditions. Additionally, real-time alerts notify the team of serious problems.
“The camera is probably one of the scariest parts of the program, although it’s the smallest part in a lot of ways,” she said. “We have two way video in about one third of our rooms right now. There is a 19-inch monitor in the rooms so patients, family and clinicians can see in the bunker, as well as us seeing them.”
The camera also features a “stealth mode” that allows clinicians to view the room before entering, to ensure they’re not interrupting a delicate conversation, surgery or other situation. Importantly, Johnson noted, video is in real time only, and is not saved. “This is not surveillance,” she said. “Basically clinicians look at the beginning of their shift, the end of their shift or when they’re asked to come in.”
What did the program need to be successful? Real-time physiologic data and trends, alarms and alerts, an easy button from the patient rooms, integrated EMRs, audio and visual into rooms, as well as the people, noted Johnson.
“Our mortality has dropped dramatically, all of our rates have dropped,” said Johnson. “It’s not just because of ePartners that this is happening, it’s ePartners working with the team that is helping our hospital meet these goals.”