The new year has brought with it many exciting new changes and additions to DeKalb Health, as you’ve seen over the past several months. One important enhancement is a level of care provided through a newly expanded Intensive Care Unit, with eICU capabilities launched late December.
“The layout and design of the new eICU optimizes workflow and helps us provide acutely ill patients the most personalized and expert care available in our region,” said Donna Freund, chief nursing officer at DeKalb Health.
The new unit employs the patented eICU® care model through a new partnership with Parkview Health. It’s an innovative way to add an extra layer of care for the patients most in need of critical care. Because these patients can develop complications rapidly, the eICU model provides around-the-clock continuous monitoring of critical-care patients, supporting the hands-on, personal care provided by the ICU medical staff.
“Parkview is pleased to be a partner with DeKalb Health as we work together to provide excellent patient care,” said Greg Johnson, DO, MMM, chief medical officer, Parkview Hospital. “Having a coordinated patient care model in an intensive care unit provides benefits for patients and families, physicians and nurses. This new partnership demonstrates a strong commitment to collaboration and providing important services in the region.”
Members of the eICU team include specially trained medical staff including intensivist physicians and nurses focusing on critical care. Their efforts are backed up by electronically monitoring of technology and equipment in each DeKalb Health ICU patient’s room from one central location.
That technology is comprehensive and state-of-the-art, including in-room video monitors, videoconferencing and other advanced computer technology. The benefits of this technology are abundant, enabling on-site nurses and physicians to work as a team with remotely located counterparts.
This enhances technology through:
- Unparalleled care coordination, with results in better patient outcomes
- Continuous monitoring of vital signs
- Virtual rounding by multidisciplinary specialists
- Visual access to patient during emergency for eICU team
- Faster response times in critical care situations
“Designed with the input of our experienced ICU caregivers, the new unit offers nurses’ stations outside each room, along with windows, which enable direct observation at all times, ensuring immediate patient care. In addition, individual rooms and the ICU as a whole offer a warmer, more welcoming environment for families of our patients, “ Freund concluded.
Additional key points:
- 24/7 monitoring by experienced critical care nurses.
- 24/7 board-certified Intensivists available to handle patient concerns and emergencies.
- Daily virtual rounding by Intensivist.
- eICU clinicians enhance, but do not replace the care given at the bedside.
- Patient/Family benefits include: Critical Care specialist involved in care, able to stay in their own community versus going to a tertiary care center, immediate physician availability for emergencies.
- Physician benefits: Critical care specialist available for physician to physician consultation; patients more closely monitored; overnight orders handled by eICU.
- Nurse benefits: Nurse to Nurse consultation with experienced critical care nurses. Additional nurse reviewing for potential problems, lab results, and ICU best practices.
Contact: Terri Christiansen, DeKalb Health marketing director/PIO, 260.920.2555 (office) / 260.908.0793 (cell)
John Perlich, Parkview Health spokesperson, 260.373.7206 (office) / 260.705.4271(cell)