INDIANAPOLIS, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarian Health Partners - Methodist, Indiana University and Riley hospitals - is announcing its plans to use the latest advancement in intensive care delivery to its most critical patients, the eICU(R) solution, invented by VISICU, Inc. Clarian is one of a select group of hospitals across the country set to implement this system. The announcement will be made during a media availability event at Methodist Hospital at 10 a.m. Friday, July 16.
The eICU solution uses proprietary early warning software and electronic monitoring to connect and provide off-site intensivists and critical care nurses with the data needed to proactively care for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. This contract is further indication of Clarian Health Partners’ commitment to continuous improvement and patient care that is second to none.
VISICU’s advanced ICU technology is the only one of its kind that is Leapfrog ICU patient safety compliant and has proven to enhance the level of hospital ICU care. The key is that the eICU solution allows hospitals to leverage their intensivist resources to care for an even larger number of patients simultaneously. The initial installation at Clarian’s hospitals will include 51 ICU beds between Methodist and Clarian West hospitals. Ultimately, the eICU facility will be connected to a total of 139 ICU beds in eight ICUs in all five Clarian Health hospitals.
“Our goal is to provide patient care that is second to none,” said Daniel F. Evans, Jr., President and CEO of Clarian Health Partners. “We want our patients to see Clarian Health as offering unsurpassed care, and our physicians and nurses to see us as the place to deliver the finest care. The eICU solution will position Clarian as the only health care provider in central Indiana with such advanced care for our most critical patients.”
According to Clarian Health Partners Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Richard Graffis, “Clarian Health Partners has designated 2004 the ‘Year of Quality’. Adding eICU technology is in sync with our desire to improve care delivery processes as well as the measurement and reporting of patient outcomes. The eICU solution will facilitate continuous improvement in all of these areas while enabling us to impart the ultimate level of critical care.”
Numerous studies have demonstrated that with intensivist care, ICU patients experience reduced complications, leading to double-digit patient outcome improvements. A study published in Critical Care Medicine (Crit Care Med 2004; 30:31-38) documented these results based on use of the eICU solution:
-- 27% reduction in severity-adjusted hospital mortality for ICU patients -- 17% reduction in ICU length of stay -- Savings of $2,150 per patient or 3 million dollars above program costs
The eICU solution allows intensivists to continuously monitor patients remotely from a “central hub” by complementing the care delivered at the bedside, alerting hospital caregivers on the unit of urgent situations and allowing another set of eyes to focus on all ICU patients.
“Clarian Health is a leader in excellent patient care and considered by many to be the premier health care system in Indiana,” said Frank T. Sample, VISICU president and CEO. “Partnering with VISICU to bring the eICU solution to Clarian Health hospitals clearly demonstrates their commitment to superior information technology and exceptional critical care.”
About Clarian Health Partners
Clarian Health Partners, comprised of Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children, is an Indiana-based, private, non-profit organization, offering a broad base of tertiary services, specialized pediatric care and a Level 1 Trauma Center. Clarian is Indiana’s largest, most comprehensive health center and is one of the busiest hospital systems in the nation. Clarian Health’s mission is to improve the health of patients and the community through innovation and excellence in care, education, research and service. To fulfill its mission, Clarian uses the combined resources of its sponsoring institutions and its continuing affiliation with Indiana University School of Medicine, one of the nation’s leading medical education and research centers. Clarian Health Partners, Inc. operates the Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital campuses as a single hospital under Indiana law.
About VISICU
VISICU, Inc., a privately held company founded in 1998 by two intensivist physicians, is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. The eICU(R) solution enables hospitals to standardize ICU care across multiple hospitals and leverage scarce intensivist talent. From a centralized eICU, intensivists and nurses monitor and care for ICU patients through a high-fidelity, telemedicine network that has been likened to air traffic control. Proprietary software is used to proactively manage patient care and electronically connect the patient to the doctor, 24/7. A study of the eICU system published in the Journal of Critical Care Medicine (Crit Care Med 2004; 30:31-38) proved the clinical and financial benefits. The eICU solution is currently the only technology solution that enables hospitals to meet the Leapfrog Group’s ICU patient-care safety standards. VISICU won the 2001 Healthcare Informatics and Technology Award and in 2002 the eICU was recognized as one of the top 100 technical innovations by InfoWorld magazine. For more information, visit http://www.visicu.com/ . eICU is a registered trademark of VISICU, Inc.
Clarian Health Partners
CONTACT: Jon Mills of Clarian Health Partners, +1-317-962-4526