Ascension Health's Borgess Medical Center of Michigan recently implemented Cerner Corp.'s critical care technology that provides clinicians with up-to-date medical information at the point-of-care and offers remote monitoring tools for the critically ill.
   
Cerner critical care systems enable medical staff to monitor neonatal, pediatric and adult ICU patients around-the-clock from remote locations. Alerts notify clinicians of risks, dangers and negative physiological trends. A single electronic health record is used by clinicians throughout the hospital and remotely, to view, chart, order and document care. Medication administration is automated and uses bar code technology to ensure the right drug and amount are distributed to the right person at the proper time.
   
In addition, the software provides an outcomes measurement tool to help the critical care staff make appropriate operational decisions. An in-room video conferencing system also is a feature of the technology, serving as an avenue for remote clinicians and the bedside team to visually monitor and speak with persons being treated.
   
Borgress implemented the technology because it complements their existing critical care staff at the bedside, serving as a second set of eyes when checking key vital signs or assisting bedside teams when decisions need to made quickly. "All clinicians, nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists and others can document care within the same electronic record and have access to all vital medical data and evidence-based alerts, warning them of impending problems to someone's health," said Jim Fackler, MD, Cerner director of critical care.