by Kate Keith

Created on: August 05, 2008   Last Updated: August 20, 2008

Across the country, hospitals and medical clinics are stepping up technology and racing into a wireless, paperless setting. All marketed to reduce errors and mortality rates, and improve quality, safety both upgrade IT systems, here are a few items guaranteed to increase your physicians' bedside manners:

*eICU, a special electronic control center system developed by Visicu, Inc. allows for physicians to monitor patients from a remote location. Complications, particularly in an ICU setting, can develop quickly. With eICU monitoring sensors and cameras for each patient are networked to a centralized control center where specialists can keep an eye on patients all at the same time, without moving from room to room. The eICU contains special software that will constantly be evaluating patients for any changes, no matter how subtle, in a way that human observers may miss at a critical time. "The keys are constant surveillance, providing the patient with immediate physician access and arming the physician with the patient information needed to make the right decisions, quickly"- www.visicu.com

*Vocera, instant voice communication. Vocera has created a hands-free, wearable device on a wireless network that improves patient flow and creates immediate communication between healthcare workers and to obtain information. Increases response time from orders to action contributes to a rapid turnaround and is faster than paging or any other means of communication. See Vocera Communications System info at www.vocera.com.

*Robotic IV Automation or RIVA has been developed to aid hospital with precise medication delivery system. A self-contained unit for filling IV syringes and bags', RIVA promises to reduce incidents of medication errors and contamination. Touted as the new standard in IV Admixture Compounding' it sets the safety and efficiency standard for hospital pharmacies and lowers the risk of error.
More information: www.intelligenthospitals.com

*electronic clipboard, also known as a mobile clinical assistant or MCA, is a tablet-sized computer that provides instant access to patient medical records, medication, allergies and allows for note taking. Equipped with software (example, www.eclipsys.com) to manage orders electronically computerized physician order entry (CPOE) MCAs increase productivity while reducing paperwork. See examples for CliniScape or Proscribe through Phillips at www.fimi.philips.com

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