CENTRAL MONITORING SYSTEM
ENHANCED HOSPITAL CARE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Hospitals are often described as one of the most unpredictable and fast paced settings to work in. Efficiency is key to ensure the best care possible at a moment’s notice.
There are software systems that help streamline hospital care by displaying essential patient data in one central location. While the price of these Centralized Monitoring (CM) Systems is high, the value is undeniable.
Donors to 2016’s Giving Giggles campaign may recall that CM was part of the advanced equipment funded for the Kelowna General Hospitals new perinatal unit. Thanks to continued donor support for technological advancement, two additional CM systems have recently replaced aging equipment in both the pediatric unit and emergency department at KGH.
Previously, teams could only access a patient’s vitals, including pulse, blood pressure, respiration rate, and more, right at their hospital bed. If an alert went off, staff would have to listen and follow the sound to identify the patient and check their vitals. With so many hospital beds for teams to manage, the outdated technology sometimes contributed to an already stressful environment.
The new, proactive CM systems provide real-time data and alerts in centralized locations, enabling teams to respond swiftly. The updated software also provides quick access to patient history, making it faster to determine treatment plans.
Emergency Department visits last year
of emergency visits were labelled emergent, needing to be seen within 15 minutes
inpatient pediatric hospitalizations in 2023
In the pediatric ward, children are often intimidated and scared with so many people coming and going. It’s important for teams to minimize the number of times they step into a younger patient’s room. CM systems have greatly helped limit ‘touch times’.
“These new Central Monitoring Systems gives us the ability to see what’s happening for our patients at the nursing station and throughout the ward. Now nurses can be more cognizant of the status of all patients on the unit in a more effective manner. It provides a feeling of safety and comfort for both our nurses and patients,” shares Lyndsay Thomson, KGH Pediatric Patient Care Coordinator.
The KGH emergency department sees an average of 260 patients a day. With the implementation of the new CM system, teams can monitor each other’s patients in a more supportive and collaborative work environment. The results include reduced wait times for those needing emergency medical treatment.
The upgrade to Central Monitoring systems has improved efficiency, collaboration, patient outcomes, wait times, and staff morale in the pediatrics and emergency wards. This donor funded technology has brought world-class health care closer to home for the tens of thousands of patients who rely on these wards every year.
“As Kelowna grows and evolves, we are providing care for sicker children. Central Monitoring allows us to monitor these kiddos more acutely and ensure that the entire team is aware of the status of the child, leading to more collaborative care.” – Lyndsay Thomson, KGH Pediatric Patient Care Coordinator
