New Technology Improves Patient Monitoring Followng Surgery

Patients in post-surgical units at two Intermountain Healthcare hospitals are part of an innovative way to monitor all vital signs after surgery. The new technology, ViSi Mobile, aims to reduce interruptions, increase mobility, and improve recovery for patients in the hospital by wirelessly and continuously monitoring heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure, blood oxygenation level, respiration rate and skin temperature.

 

Created by Sotera Wireless, Inc., ViSi Mobile is able to wirelessly transmit patient vital sign information for remote viewing and notification, as well as to interface with electronic medical records. Intermountain is piloting the technology in certain units at Intermountain Medical Center and LDS Hospital.

 

"This technology gives all the monitoring accuracy typically found in intensive care units while not restricting the patient's mobility as they recover," said Frederick Holston, chief technology officer for Intermountain Healthcare. "Doctors and nurses can monitor all vital signs non-invasively and create a better healing and restful experience for our patients—while still providing a way to detect any early warning signs."

 

This new monitoring system was showcased by Intermountain and Sotera Wireless at this month’s 2013 Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) national conference that gathers leaders in information technology and management systems to improve the quality, safety, access, and value of healthcare.

 

"Intermountain is recognized as one of the leaders in healthcare and is clearly aligned with our vision to improve patient safety--that's why we have partnered together to deliver better patient care and patient safety," said Gunnar Trommer, Ph.D., VP Marketing at Sotera Wireless.