Ensuring Remote Telemetry Monitoring Patient Safety
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Session
Patient Safety and Quality
Author
Terry Dunn
Six Sigma Black Belt
Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati
Description
Dropping a new computer system in place doesn't solve problems! Indeed, it often creates new ones. This session reviews how process focus is needed to prevent sentinel events.
Abstract
Conversion from unit-based to centrally-monitored telemetry seemed like a good idea for this academic medical center. But soon it was apparent that problems--sometimes involving serious patient risks--were occurring all too frequently. And even more worrisome, nurses were routinely ignoring communications from the monitoring unit. A six sigma project was commissioned to apply team-based problem solving and statitiscal design techniques to resolve the problem. This is that team's story.