Becker's Hospital Review

Executive Briefing: Intensive Care Services Telemedicine in the ICU is associated with shorter lengths of stay, lower mortality rates, faster case review, better use of performance data and improved adherence to best practices. With this collaborative effort, Advanced ICU Care can help hospitals engage in performance improvement in a cost- and healthsensitive area. Alleviating intensivist shortages allows hospitals' clinical leadership to focus their time and energy on patient care and care improvements. Patient privacy is a top priority. All connections between the patient room and Advanced ICU Care are secure and HIPAA-compliant. The video component of the program is only for consultations requested by the bedside team or by the Advanced ICU Care team, who introduce themselves when entering a room. When not in in use, the camera is turned to face the wall. "From a patient's perspective, you're not always being observed, so the technology observation is not visually evident. But the teleICU adds an extra layer of care that allows the whole ICU team to identify dangerous changes in the patient's condition," says Dr. Gorman. "Of course there is no substitute for having someone at the bedside. The tele-ICU doesn't replace care at the bedside, but enhances it as the hospital's critical care team and the tele-ICU team collaborate. The tele-ICU can add value to a number of areas through acting as a management solution," she says. ICU services have the potential to be inconsistent at any time, but a tele-ICU program takes on some of the systemic stress. "Different things happen on Saturday than on Tuesday, and caregivers don't have a consistent 24-7 pattern of availability. The tele-ICU 39 can increase the number of patients for which ICUs may safely care, because it increases care itself," says Dr. Gorman. According to Dr. Gorman there are several challenges that may encourage a hospital to consider the tele-ICU. "The biggest challenge is the nationwide shortage of intensivists. ICU efficiency and quality of service in the ICU are also top considerations we hear from hospital leadership." It may also be an attractive marketing proposition. "In some markets, hospitals are looking for ways to differentiate themselves. The tele-ICU solution is a state-of-the art quality service and good differentiator in the community," says Dr. Gorman. There is plenty of data to show the ICU is undermanaged, and with the intensivist shortage, that trend is expected to continue. Facing this systemic risk, hospitals are exploring alternative care delivery solutions to curb the shortage's repercussions on a piece of the healthcare continuum that is especially sensitive. "Really bringing good management — through meaningful analytics that can help clinicians adjust their practice — that's the biggest opportunity for facilities in terms of clinical and financial outcomes," says Dr. Gorman. n There is plenty of data to show the ICU is undermanaged, and with the intensivist shortage, that trend is expected to continue. Facing this systemic risk, hospitals are exploring alternative care delivery solutions to curb the shortage's repercussions on a piece of the healthcare continuum that is especially sensitive. Advanced ICU Care® helps improve ICU patient care. As the nation's largest provider of tele-ICU services, Advanced ICU Care has a proven track record of improving the clinical and financial performance of its hospital partners. Advanced ICU Care's tele-ICU programs combine experienced intensivist-led care teams, sophisticated technology and collaborative programs with hospital staff to achieve a rigorous focus on evidence-based best practices that improve patient care and safety. Our team brings insights gained from decades of nationally recognized ICU leadership and expertise in both bedside ICU and tele-ICU environments. For more information, visit www.icumedicine.com.

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