Enhanced Critical Care
Enhanced Critical Care is an electronic intensive care unit designed to improve care and shorten hospital stays. Critically ill patients are monitored bedside by local physicians and nurses and remotely by specially trained critical care physicians and nurses at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
In-room computers, high quality video cameras and audio monitors transmit data including vital signs, test results and imaging exams from patients’ bedsides to an operations center. There, a team of physicians and nurses continuously reviews the information to watch for trends that could mean potential problems for patients. When a change is detected, the team alerts local staff so they can address the situation.
Patient information, including vital signs, test results and imaging exams, is sent to an operations center via in-room computers, high quality video cameras and audio monitors. There, a team of physicians and nurses continuously reviews the information and alerts local staff if a problem is detected. Two-way televisions and video cameras allow operations center staff to communicate with local staff, patients and their families.
Local physicians and nurses continue to care for patients as they always have. A local physician directs each patient’s care.
"We do a great job taking care of patients," says Asegid Kebede, M.D., Pulmonology and Critical Care in Eau Claire. "With this program, operations center nurses and physicians continuously review patient's vital signs and other patient related data. The minute they notice a potential problem, they can alert the local care team. It's like having an extra set of eyes on every patient."
Benefits of Enhanced Critical Care include early detection and treatment of problems, shorter hospital stays, improved patient results and reduced cost of care. The service is provided at no additional cost to patients.
Please talk with any staff member if you have questions or concerns about Enhanced Critical Care.