Health chief's have invested more than £612,000 in a brand-new electronic system that makes it easier than ever for staff to record, store and evaluate patients’ clinical observations using iPods and iPads.
The system, called VitalPAC, makes it 40% quicker to record a patient’s vital signs than using paper charts, contributing greatly to patient safety and improved efficiency.
Pippa Hart, the Trust’s Chief Nurse, said she is confident that the new system will contribute to providing outstanding and timely care to patients: “Because of the shorter time it takes to record a patients’ basic stats, members of staff can spot the tell-tale signs that a patient may be about to deteriorate, or needs further treatment, faster than ever before. It also frees our staff up so that they can spend more time caring for our patients and less time doing paperwork.
“In fact, other NHS hospitals that have VitalPAC installed have reported highly encouraging statistics such as a 70% drop in cardiac arrests. In addition, average lengths of stay in hospital hae reportedly dropped by over 20%, which is great news for patients who want to leave hospital to be in the comfort of their own home.
“Patient safety and care is always our first priority, and we’re confident that the £612,000 investment will almost instantly pay dividends and continue to help us strive for excellence.
“The new system is a time-saving, accurate device that is already increasing the efficiency of our ward staff, and in turn, enhancing the way in which we provide our patients with exceptional healthcare. I am particularly pleased with how staff have taken to the system and am looking forward to fully rolling the system out across all appropriate wards across our sites.
“The new equipment and software has been very well-received on the wards. Even the most technophobic members of staff have got to grips with it quickly and are already confident using the system through the familiar interface of an iPod.
“If you’re due to come into Epsom or St Helier hospitals, either as a patient or to visit a loved one, please be aware that you may see some staff using an iPad or an iPod by the patients’ bedside. I assure you that these members of staff aren’t playing on their phones or personal tablets, but are taking down the patient’s vital signs!”
The next stage of the Trust’s implementation of VitalPAC will see the system adopted by staff on the medicine wards at Epsom Hospital, before being introduced in a more widespread capacity throughout other clinical areas across both Epsom and St Helier hospitals.
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