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A total of 44 Christ Hospital ICU beds will be monitored around the clockby a critical care team from the hospital's Critical Connections Center,located in The Christ Hospital Medical Office Building. This team includes anintensivist physician, specially trained in caring for critically illpatients, who monitors ICU patients from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., when the patient'sattending physician is typically not present in the hospital. The team alsoincludes experienced critical care nurses and health care assistants, whomonitor ICU patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The CriticalConnections team uses powerful computers to monitor vital signs, medications,X-rays, and other information from bedside monitors. They continuously analyzepatient conditions and alert medical staff to potential problems.
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"Critical Connections is just one more example of our commitment toprovide our patients with the most advanced technology and an outstandinglevel of care," said Susan Croushore, President and CEO, The Christ Hospital."The eICU will never replace a caring touch or an encouraging smile, but itslife-saving applications will reassure families that help is immediatelyavailable for their loved ones, no matter the time of day."
Industry studies have shown the involvement of intensivist physicianshelps reduce the risk of complications for patients in the ICU. However, thereis a nationwide intensivist shortage. Critical Connections addresses this needby making an off-site intensivist immediately available when a patient'sattending physician is not in the ICU.
"The eICU technology will complement the high quality care alreadyprovided by our ICU physicians and nurses," said Christopher M. Orabella,M.D., medical director of the Critical Connections Program. "Nationally, theeICU concept has been proven to significantly improve patient outcomes. We arepleased to offer this extra layer of vigilance, and this advanced level ofcritical care, to our sickest of patients."
The Christ Hospital plans to expand its Critical Connections program tosurrounding communities, to provide enhanced critical care intensivistcoverage for ICU patients in other hospitals. Through the Critical ConnectionsProgram, such patients will have access to around the clock, advanced criticalcare expertise located in The Christ Hospital-based Critical ConnectionsCenter, without having to leave their local hospital.
About The Christ Hospital
The Christ Hospital is a 555-bed, not-for-profit acute care facility,offering services in cardiovascular care, spine treatment, women's health,major surgery, cancer, behavioral medicine, orthopedics, emergency care,kidney transplant and others. It is consistently recognized by U.S. News &World Report as one of the nation's top hospitals, and has been namedCincinnati's Most Preferred Hospital for 12 consecutive years by NationalResearch Corporation (NRC). For more information about The Christ Hospital,visit http://www.TheChristHospital.com.
About VISICU
VISICU, Inc., a Philips Company, is a healthcare information technologyand clinical solutions company focused on transforming the delivery ofcritical care through its eICU Program. Through remote monitoring technologyand clinical intelligence, experienced critical care resources are leveragedto provide enhanced intensivist coverage and early intervention for safer,more effective patient care. Currently more than 200 hospitals serving over250,000 patients annually have partnered with VISICU to implement eICUprograms. More information is available at http://www.VISICU.com. eICU(R) is aregistered trademark of VISICU, Inc. All rights reserved.
SOURCE The Christ Hospital
