The peace to heal. The calm to care.
Calm Critical Care—filtered noise reduction solutions for Critical Care Units (CCU)
How can a hospital distribute alerts from monitors and other bedside equipment to mobile CCU staff, while simultaneously minimising noise pollution and the risk of ‘alarm fatigue’? The challenge is that staff require timely patient data and alerts. But too many clinically insignificant alerts - particularly at night - impact staff, and can compromise patient well-being. One possible way forward is intelligent alert notification management that filters the flow of alerts to frontline staff.
771. That’s the average number of alarm conditions a single CCU bed at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the US bed generated in one day.1 It’s a figure that highlights a major challenge: CCUs are becoming increasingly noisy. And it’s not only staff and workflows that suffer. Excessive noise from clinically insignificant alarms disturbs patients, leading to sleep deprivation, delirium and increased consumption of medications.2 Ascom CCU solutions can improve the situation by intelligently filtering alerts, ensuring they go to the right person at the right time.
References:
1. AAMI Foundation (2012) Using Data to Drive Alarm System Improvement Efforts: The Johns Hopkins Hospital Experience [online] available from http://www.premiersafetyinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/Johns-Hopkins-White-Paper.pdf [18 April 2016]
2. World Health Organization (2009) Ni ght noise guidelines for Europe [online] available from http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/43316/E92845.pdf?ua=1 [18 April 2016]
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How Ascom can help reduce noise pollution and alert fatigue at Critical Care Units
Each Calm Critical Care solution is unique; tailored to a hospital’s specific needs and resources. But a solution typically incorporates an Ascom nurse call system, Ascom Unite and Digistat softwares and applications, and Ascom handsets. Bedside equipment such as monitors and pumps can be connected to the nurse call system via an Ascom Multiple Medical Alarm Module.* Monitoring equipment can also be connected centrally by using network connections to the Ascom Unite and Digistat softwares.
Ascom Unite and Digistat softwares are the intelligent cores of a Calm Critical Care solution. In addition to processing alerts from medical devices, Ascom softwares also direct these alerts along wireless infrastructure (typically Wi-Fi or DECT) to individual caregivers’ handsets such as the built-for-Healthcare Ascom Myco smartphone.
* The Ascom Multiple Medical Alarm Module is available only in the EU.
Why is noise reduction important?
References:
1. AAMI Foundation (2012) Using Data to Drive Alarm System Improvement Efforts; The Johns Hopkins Hospital Experience [online] Available at http://www.premiersafetyinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/Johns-Hopkins-White-Paper.pdf > [16 March 2016]
2. Cvach, M. (2012). Monitor Alarm Fatigue : An Integrative Review. Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, 46(4), pp.268-277.
3. EurekAlert! (2005) Rise in hospital noise poses problems for patients and staff. [online] Available at: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-11/jhu-rih111905.php [Accessed 15 Mar. 2016].
4. Delaney, L., Van Haren, F. and Lopez, V. (2015). Sleeping on a problem: the impact of sleep disturbance on intensive care patients - a clinical review. Ann. Intensive Care, 5(1).
5. Hsieh, S., Ely, E. and Gong, M. (2013). Can Intensive Care Unit Delirium Be Prevented and Reduced?. Lessons Learned and Future Directions. Annals ATS, 10(6), pp.648-656.
PDFKuopio University Hospital reference case
How an Ascom alert-handling solution is helping to provide ‘familycentered’ Neonatal Intensive Care—a fresh departure in NICU practice that can contribute to improved clinical outcomes, better parental bonding, and reduced lengths of stay. -
Solution architecture
Architecture description
Each solution typically involves a combination of infrastructure, software and mobile devices such as the Android-based Ascom Myco smartphone. Each element is integrated into a solution that delivers smooth collaboration and communication between individual caregivers and care teams.
Solution products
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PDF
Kuopio University Hospital reference case
How an Ascom alert-handling solution is helping to provide ‘familycentered’ Neonatal Intensive Care—a fresh departure in NICU practice that can contribute to improved clinical outcomes, better parental bonding, and reduced lengths of stay.
Other solutions
The availability, configuration and technical specifications of Ascom products, services and solutions may vary from country to country. Please ask your nearest Ascom representative for further details.