CMH Unveils Revolutionary Critical Care Technology
(Calvert is first hospital in Maryland to implement)
Prince Frederick, MD (May 12, 2009) - Calvert Memorial Hospital marks a major milestone as it goes live with groundbreaking technology in its intensive care unit. The new information system - called VISICU eCare Manager™ - puts CMH on the frontline of quality care at the community level.
The new system allows intensivists (or intensive care physicians) and veteran critical care nurses at a remote monitoring center to provide CMH bedside staff with an extra set of eyes and ears. Using voice, video, and high-speed data transmission, they're able to monitor such crucial indicators as blood pressure heart rate, oxygen levels and respiratory rate for early warning signs and intervene proactively, when needed.
"We're very excited to be able to offer this service to our patients," said CMH President and CEO Jim Xinis. "We expect the quality of care to be even better."
Studies have shown that patients in intensive units have better outcomes when they're monitored by full-time intensivists. However, these specialists are in increasing short supply nationwide even as our aging population continues to grow.
"This program is going to be a big benefit for our hospital and our community," said surgeon Dr. Steven Quigley. Critically ill patients have the benefit of specialized physicians and nurses watching them closely and working with on-site staff to get them better, faster.
Xinis stressed that the system does not take the place of bedside staff. "It is an additional layer of safety." For on-site caregivers, in-room help is available at the push of a button.
"We have an excellent nursing staff and excellent physicians who support us," said Cindy Tucker, critical care nurse at CMH, "but it's nice to know that the eCare is right there with us 24/7."
The moment-by-moment monitoring also gives patients and their families an "added sense of security," said Ann Lockhart, critical care director at CMH. "They find it reassuring to have another set of eyes looking out for them." She said patients and family members will also be able to speak with the intensivists.
"Enhancing patient safety was the impetus for forming Maryland eCare," said Xinis. "It brings together CMH and five other hospitals in the state." They include Atlantic General in Berlin, Civista Medical Center in LaPlata, Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, St. Mary's Hospital in Leonardtown and Washington County Health System in Hagerstown, which together admit more than 66,000 patients each year.
With a $3 million grant from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, the hospitals will implement the advanced technology in each of their intensive care units. St. Mary's and Peninsula are scheduled to go online later this year.
Maryland eCare's remote monitoring center will be based at Christiana Care Health System in Wilmington, Delaware. Since, 2005 Christiana Care has used the technology in two hospitals with a total of four ICUs.
"This program allows us to act quickly and prevent complications," said Dr. Marc T. Zubrow, medical director of Maryland eCare and director of Critical Care at Christiana Care." It leads to improved patient outcomes, getting patients home more quickly and more safely."
He went on to add, "This program allows the participating hospitals to provide the same level of care at 2 in the morning as they provide at 2 in the afternoon. It's about crisis prevention rather than crisis response."
A video explaining the benefits of the program and how it will operate is available on the hospital website at www.calverthospital.org.
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