CINCINNATI, Feb. 28, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- The Christ Hospital has
entered into an agreement with VISICU, Inc., to implement their patented
eICU(R) Program. Using early-warning software and remote monitoring tools,
eICU technology enables off-site critical care physicians and nurses to
monitor critically ill patients around the clock. The voice, video and data
technology has been proven to reduce unnecessary complications, improve
mortality rates and shorten hospital length of stay.
A total of 48 Christ Hospital ICU beds will be monitored with the eICU
technology when it is implemented in the fall of 2008 at a cost of $3.4
million. Following this implementation, The Christ Hospital hopes to expand
the program to surrounding communities, to provide enhanced critical care
coverage for ICU patients in other hospitals. Through the eICU Program,
such patients will have access to around-the-clock, advanced critical care
expertise located in The Christ Hospital-based eICU Center, without having
to leave their local hospital.
"The Christ Hospital's decision to implement the eICU Program
demonstrates our commitment to providing Greater Cincinnati and its
surrounding communities with the most advanced technology available," says
Susan Croushore, President and CEO, The Christ Hospital. "The eICU care
model has been proven to reduce complications, ICU mortality rates and
length of stay, thus, improving patient outcomes. Additionally, this
advanced technology can be utilized at remote ICU locations throughout our
region."
In the United States, there is a shortage of intensivist physicians, or
those trained in caring for critically ill patients. According to industry
studies, involvement by intensivist physicians in the care of ICU patients
helps prevent complications. With the eICU technology, off-site
intensivists are immediately available to intervene in emergencies when a
patient's attending physician is not in the ICU. The off-site intensivists
and critical care nurses collaborate with the on-site staff to closely and
carefully coordinate each patient's care.
"The Christ Hospital's vision to be the 'best of the best' in its
healthcare delivery and in its service to the greater Cincinnati region is
most impressive," said Frank Sample, President and Chief Executive Officer
at VISICU. "We are excited to be partnering with The Christ Hospital team
in achieving their vision of providing the highest quality care to their
sickest patients and, through outreach services, sharing their expertise
with hospitals in surrounding communities."
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 named
Cincinnati's Most Preferred Hospital for 12 consecutive years by National
Research 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 technology
and clinical solutions company focused on transforming the delivery of
critical care through its eICU Program. Through remote monitoring
technology and clinical intelligence, experienced critical care resources
are leveraged to provide enhanced coverage and early intervention for
safer, more effective patient care. Currently more than 200 hospitals
serving over 250,000 patients annually have partnered with VISICU to
implement eICU programs. More information is available at http://www.VISICU.com.
VISICU, eICU and eCareMobile(TM) are trademarks of VISICU, Inc. All rights
reserved.
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