Intensivist physicians and eICU® Care Model
Remote electronic monitoring improves patient outcomes
The patented eICU® care model is an innovative way to add an extra layer of care for the sickest of critical care patients in the hospital who are prone to developing life-threatening complications. Evidence is growing that eICU programs save lives, reduce complications and reduce the length of patient stays.
Severely ill patients can develop complications rapidly. While the bedside staff provides hands-on care, the eICU staff provides special 24-hour continuous monitoring and management of patients, looking to identify early warning signs of a downward trend. By working with the bedside critical care team and attending physician to prioritize and guide interventions, complications can be prevented.
Parkview Health uses the eICU care model to remotely monitor patients in 44 critical care beds in these facilities:
- Parkview Hospital Coronary and Medical ICU (CICU/MICU)
- Parkview Hospital Neurological ICU
- Parkview Huntington Hospital Constant Care Unit
- Parkview LaGrange Hospital Critical Care Unit
- Parkview North Hospital Critical Care Unit
- Parkview Noble Hospital Constant Care Unit
- Parkview Whitley Hospital Constant Care Unit.
Even with a national shortage of intensivist physicians and nurses who specialize in critical care, the eICU care model adds an extra layer of coverage in critical care units. Parkview is using technology developed by VISICU, a Baltimore-based company, to electronically connect 44 critical care rooms in five of our hospitals into one central monitoring location.
In-room video monitors, video conferencing, and computer technology allow the bedside nurses and doctors and remotely-located eICU nurses and doctors to work as one team in caring for each critical care patient. Remote eICU staff can monitor vital signs, make virtual rounds, and “visually” enter a patient’s room to help direct care during an emergency. The eICU staff does not replace current bedside staff and doctors. The “high tech” coverage the eICU team provides is in addition to the “high touch” care provided by the bedside team.
Intensivist physicians for better patient outcomes
An intensivist is a physician who specializes in critical care. Critical care is defined as the care of seriously ill patients from point of injury or illness until discharge from the unit.
The Society of Critical Care Medicine defines the role of an intensivist as the qualified critical care practitioner able to give undivided attention to critically ill patients. Intensivists possess the knowledge, skill, judgment, attitude and compassion acquired through training and experience. They are focused on achieving the best outcome for patients by assisting in the coordination of the plan of care and daily goals. They plan and manage the critical care environment, including the unit layout, equipment, supplies, personnel and the care model in which they function.
Parkview’s goal is to have intensivist staffing 24/7 through a combination of being physically located in the hospital or being accessible through the new eICU care model. Previously physicians were available via pager and phone 24 hours a day. However, Parkview is taking it a step further to help meet national patient care and healthcare culture of safety goals set by The Leapfrog Group*.
Having intensivists located in-house or accessible through eICU technology enables faster response time in critical patient situations.
Multidisciplinary rounding for coordinated care
With the bedside staff in the CICU/MICU and remote site staff working together for the best patient outcomes, multidisciplinary rounding helps the whole team coordinate care for each patient. This rounding is done to help the team formulate each patient’s care plan and procedure priorities for that day. Team suggestions are made during this time and are available for physician review throughout the day.
Every day, for each patient, multidisciplinary rounds are done in the unit beginning at 9 a.m. The critical care registered nurse assigned to the patient on the unit gives a report on the patient’s condition to the group. The multidisciplinary rounding team could include the intensivists, physicians, charge nurse, bedside nurse, case manager, respiratory therapist, rehab therapist, dietitian and pharmacist.
eICU® is a registered trademark of VISICU, Inc.
* The Leapfrog Group was founded by a small group of Fortune 500 employers and private businesses and launched in 2000. The national initiative is driven by organizations that buy healthcare who are working to initiate breakthrough improvements in the safety, quality and affordability of healthcare for Americans. It is a voluntary program aimed at mobilizing employer purchase power to alert America’s health industry that big “leaps” in healthcare safety, quality and customer value will be recognized and rewarded.