On July 27, 2010 Atlantic General Hospital joined Maryland eCare, which allows for remote monitoring of its most critically ill patients.
Complementing the intensive care provided by Atlantic General’s clinical staff and intensivists, eCare critical care physicians and nurses – based at Christiana Care’s eCare monitoring center – closely watch patient conditions 24/7 remotely, through video and audio technology combined with intelligent monitoring, sensors and alarm systems.
While maintaining patient privacy, the eCare’s remote center closely monitors patients for any physical change, immediately alerting local caregivers and recommending corrective action. This additional monitoring will be especially important during the evenings or when Atlantic General’s intensivists are otherwise on call.
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"eCare provides an additional line of safety and monitoring for all ICU patients. It does not replace the bedside nurse or our intensivist physicians. And, the cameras installed in each room are an added feature and will only be activated by the ICU staff at Atlantic General, or if the eCare team in Christiana notices a potential problem or emergency."
-- Scott Rose, director of the ICU
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About Maryland eCare
Six hospitals, known collectively as Maryland eCare, united more than four years ago to find a solution to the critical care physician shortage. It is the largest collaboration of independent hospitals in the country – and the only such partnership in the state of Maryland – to establish this model of care for its patients. Participating hospitals include Atlantic General Hospital and Salisbury’s Peninsula Regional Medical Center as well as Calvert Memorial Hospital, Civista Medical Center, St. Mary’s Hospital, and Washington County Health System, which collectively admit more than 66,000 patients every year.
Using a sophisticated and elaborate network of cameras, monitors and two-way communication links, trained physicians and critical care nurses monitor the condition of patients as well as keep track of vital signs, medications, x-ray and other information. It’s the ultimate level of 24-hour continuous monitoring that supplements the care provided by the local AGH hospital staff in the CCU.
Because a patient’s condition can change quickly and without warning, the eCare system provides enhanced patient monitoring – an all-important extra measure of care – that is connected to the onsite staff by voice, telephone, video and data. The goal is to reduce unnecessary complications, shorten hospitalization stays, and improve mortality rates. |
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