Michigan IT Companies Helping The University Of Miami Center For Patient Safety Tackle A Leading Cause Of Death Using An RTLS Solution
The University of Miami UM-JMH Center for Patient Safety has successfully launched a hand hygiene compliance (HHC) pilot project with the help of two Michigan-based technology businesses who specialize in health care real-time locating solutions (RTLS).
Dynamic Computer Corporation is a health care RTLS systems integrator based in Farmington Hills, Mich. Traverse City -based Versus Technology designed the automatic HCC system using their patented infrared – radio frequency (IR-RF) technology that has been deployed in hundreds of hospitals for automating patient workflow events. The HHC solution can be deployed as a standalone system or as part of an enterprise RTLS system.
How the HHC solution works
The solution uses small IR-RF sensors in soap dispensing units that read staff ID badges and monitor the location and timing of hand-washing events. Employees hear a verification sound upon successful information capture about whom, when and where the hand washing event has occurred.
"Nothing matters more than the safety of our patients. That's why we are working with Versus and DCC to create an exciting, technologically-advanced system to decrease healthcare-associated infections," said David J. Birnbach, M.D., M.P.H., Director, UM-JMH Center for Patient Safety.
The goal of the HHC solution is to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) by promoting evidence-based practices and fostering a culture of safety and accountability. Hospitals are able to accurately track and report on HHC compliance in real time, and retroactively to monitor problem areas for additional training where necessary. Staff members are alerted in real time when they forget to wash their hands, before an adverse event takes place.
"This is a reliable and affordable solution with compound benefits for hospitals seeking to improve patient care and processes while greatly reducing costs," said Farida Ali, DCC President & CEO. "This is just one example of how innovative technologies are transforming the way we deliver care. Everyone is a stakeholder."
Henry Tenarvitz, Chief Intellectual Property Officer of Versus agrees, "It is very important to Versus Technology that we provide solutions that not only reduce the potential for hospital acquired infections, but do so in a way that increases hospital staff efficiency." Tenarvitz continued, "Our commitment to making compliance systems affordable has driven Versus to discover ways to leverage existing nurse call infrastructure to control installation costs."
The UM-JMH Center for Patient Safety is planning to use the system to train students, resident physicians and nurses, and to advance their mission of preventing medical errors and improving patient safety.
"The expertise of these partners is the ideal complement for our mission, and together we can create a culture of patient safety," said Dr. Birnbach.
How big is the HAI problem?
"Americans don't expect to get additional infections when they go into the hospital. Stopping health care associated infections and improving the quality of care is one of our top priorities," stated HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in an press release earlier this month.
According to the CDC, HAIs account for about 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths each year. Most of these are preventable by proper hand washing. Here are a few facts from the CDC's March 2009 report on the direct medical costs of HAIs.
- There are about 4.5 HAIs for every 100 hospital admissions
- Direct annual costs to US hospitals (adjusted for inflation) range from $28.4-$33.8 billion to $35.7 - $45 billion.
- Anywhere from about 20-70 percent of HAIs are preventable, equaling a saving s of $5.6- $6.8 billion to $25-31.5 billion to the healthcare system with effective prevention measures.
- "HAIs in hospitals are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States" (Health Public Reports, 2007).
For more information on RF-integrated HHC solutions, contact Dynamic at www.DynamicRFIDSolutions.com/contact or call toll free 866-257-2111.
About Dynamic Computer Corporation (Est. 1979). www.DCC-Online.com www.DynamicRFIDSolutions.com
About Versus Technology Inc. (Pink Sheets: VSTI). www.VersusTech.com
About UM-JMH Center for Patient Safety Hand Hygiene Training Program http://anesthesiology.med.miami.edu/x356.xml
SOURCE: Versus Technology, Inc.