Working Smarter: Reducing the burden of work through connected care solutions.

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Digital transformation has long been coming. Paper-based systems have been replaced by electronic health records (EHR), and telehealth has gained traction. But the pandemic accelerated all that - advancing the adoption of connected care solutions and changing the conversation on the future of healthcare. COVID-19 compounded the greater demands from healthcare workers worldwide,1 leading to elevated psychological symptoms such as depression, somatic symptoms, anxiety, and burnout1. To get the latest updates, Hospital Management Asia recently held the “Tackling The New Healthcare Crisis: Healthcare Worker Burnout” webinar, sponsored by Baxter.

Lightening the impossible load: Protocols and Digital Solutions

At the webinar, Dr Ananth Rao, Chief Operating Officer, IHH Healthcare India, shared a holistic approach to mitigating burnout by allowing employees to be active crafters of their work, providing stress management interventions, and cultivating and encouraging social support2.

Connected care solutions also helped keep healthcare workers safe and improve efficiency. At the webinar, Ms Png Gek Kheng, Chief Nurse and Advanced Practice Nurse, Changi General Hospital, shared the implementation of2:

  • Nurse-led pre-anesthesia assessment via the Health Buddy app
  • Wearable medical sensors for vital signs monitoring
  • A hub and spoke distribution model made shared supplies easily accessible
  • Telepresence with Temi Bot facilitated remote interactions with inpatients

Studies from the McKinsey Global Institute also revealed that 15% of the work hours in healthcare is expected to be automated with AI, helping to minimise time spent on routine administrative tasks, which can take up to 70% of a healthcare practitioner’s time.3 As we move forward, the greater demands on healthcare will continue to catapult connected care further.

Connected Care Solutions: Improving workflow efficiency and minimising the burden of care.

Technology is critical in reducing healthcare workers’ care burden. It touches almost every point of patient care, from electronic health records (EHRs) to continuous patient monitoring, and intelligent medical devices. When connected to care teams, these technologies create a system that can help reduce errors, enhance collaboration, and accelerate response time.4-6

With almost 95% of hospitals using EHRs, many have taken the first step to introduce connected systems into their workflow.7 Hospitals can build on this foundation, integrate more products and technologies, and reach end-to-end connected care.

Select continuous monitoring technologies can also wirelessly detect a patient’s heart and respiratory rate in real time and alert the appropriate healthcare providers if those rates go outside predefined thresholds.11 Patient issues may be identified sooner, allowing acceleration of treatment and recovery times.

Because 70–80% of patients show vital sign changes at least six hours before a critical event,12,13 continuous monitoring can help identify patient deterioration before crisis.11 Continuous monitoring has been shown to facilitate appropriate treatment, which may lead to quicker recovery.11

Many hospitals also utilise connected products and technologies, like smart bed surfaces and communication solutions, to collect and transmit patient information. When these devices are part of a connected care environment, patient care teams may be significantly improved.4–6,11

Modern connected care solutions are highly beneficial in easing healthcare providers’ burdens. But only with a committed and proactive approach can we ensure the sustainability and future of our industry.

At Baxter, we continue to seize opportunities to expand global access to our medically essential product portfolio to support more patients through every point of their journey.

Learn more about Hillrom products and solutions* at www.hillrom.com

References:

1. Zhou, T., Xu, C., Wang, C. et al. Burnout and well-being of healthcare workers in the post-pandemic period of COVID-19: a perspective from the job demands-resources model. BMC Health Serv Res 22, 284 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07608-z
2. Sigari et al. 2022.Tackling the New Healthcare Crisis: Healthcare Worker Burnout Webinar. Online. December 29, 2022. Available from: https://www.hospitalmanagementasia.com/webinar/watch-on-demand-video-from-our-webinar-tacklingthe-new-healthcare-crisis-healthcare-worker-burnout/
3. Spatharou, A., Hieronimus, S., & Jenkins, J. (2021, July 1). Transforming healthcare with ai: The impact on the workforce and Organizations. McKinsey & Company. Retrieved December 12, 2022, from https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/transforming-healthcare-with-ai
4. Meccariello M, Perkins D, Quigley LG, Rocak A, Qui J. Vital time savings: Evaluating the use of an automated vital signs documentation system on a medical/surgical unit. J Healthc Inf Manag. 2010;24(4):46-51.
5. CareAware VitalsLink : Prepared by Cerner Corporation. 2013.
6. Fieler VK, Jaglowski T, Richards K. Eliminating errors in vital signs documentation. Comput Informatics Nurs. 2013;31(9):422-427.
7. Parasrampuria S, Henry J. Hospitals’ use of electronic health records data, 2015–2017. Onc Data Brief, no 46. 2019. Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; Washington, DC. Available at: https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/page/2019-04/AHAEHRUseDataBrief.pdf. Accessed January 23, 2020.
8. JHIM FALL 2010 Volume 24:Number 4, Vital Time Savings: Evaluating the Use of an Automated Vital Signs Documentation System on a Medical/Surgical Unit based on 30-bed unit with 6:1 staffing ratio
9. CareAware VitalsLink: Eliminating Data Latency & Manual Documentation at Naples Hospital. Prepared by Cerner, 2013
10. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing: Eliminating Errors in Vital Signs Documentation, FIELER, VICKIE K. PhD, RN, AOCN; JAGLOWSKI, THOMAS BSN, RN; RICHARDS, KAREN DNP, RN, NE-BC, 2013. The paper vital signs recording had an error rate of 18.75%.
11. Brown H, Terrence J, Vasquez P, Bates DW, Zimlichman E. Continuous monitoring in an inpatient medical-surgical unit: A controlled clinical trial. Am J Med. 2014;127(3):226-232.
12. Rose MA, Hanna LA, Nur SA, Johnson CM. Utilization of electronic modified early warning score to engage rapid response team early in clinical deterioration. J Nurses Prof Dev. 2015;31(3):E1-E7.
13. Subbe CP, Kruger M, Rutherfor P, Gemmel L. Validation of a modified early warning score in medical admissions. QJM. 2001;94(10):521-526.
14. Hill-Rom Customer. Oncology Falls Study. OVU. 2015 -2016.
15. Cuttler, et al. Beyond the Falling Star: Sustained Decrease in Falls and Injuries with Targeted Bed Exit Alarm, Staff Education Icons, and Patient Education Video. Collaborative Alliance for Nursing Outcomes. 2015.
16. Brown, et al. Continuous Monitoring in an Inpatient Medical-Surgical Unit: A Controlled Clinical Trial, AJM Mar. 2014 (127:3).
17. Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Medical/Surgical ICU Reduces Length of Stay by 16%, Total Ventilator Days by 20% and Saves an Estimated $508,000. 198672 rev 2. Jan 2017.
18. Abbott C, et al. Incontinence Management System Use Significantly Reduces Incontinence Exposure Time. 2019 American College of Wound Healing and Tissue Repair Conference.
19. Wiggerman N. 2017. Data on file

*The above products are not available in all the countries.
Baxter, Connex, Hillrom, Progressa and Welch Allyn are trademarks of Baxter International Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Any other trademarks, product names or brand images appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
APR432801 Rev 1 5-Dec-2022 ENG-APAC-ISEA

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