MedSitter is a remote patient observation solution that keeps at-risk patients under a watchful eye. The system was designed to prevent patient falls but has been proven invaluable within COVID-19 wards. Here are the ways that MedSitter’s remote patient observation keeps both patients and healthcare providers safe from COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been both challenging and exhaustive. A recent increase in community transmissions surrounding the holidays has led to a 4.4% increase in hospitalizations across the nation (Source: CDC). States and health systems throughout the nation have postponed non-urgent surgeries in an attempt to handle the increased volume of COVID-19 patients, and nursing shortages continue to strain care delivery (Source: NYT). Stress levels are at an all-time high as healthcare providers struggle to keep their heads above water.
It is vital for patients suffering from COVID-19 to be under the observation of healthcare professionals. At the same time, COVID-19 is an incredibly infectious disease that has already claimed the lives of more than 80,000 healthcare workers (Source: World Health Organization). Healthcare providers must balance patient care with personal safety measures in order to ensure that patients are cared for and healthcare professionals stay healthy in order to continue to deliver care to sick patients.
The MedSitter clinical team consists of registered nurses who have first-hand experience with these patient care challenges. Our feedback and input were taken into consideration and resulted in a few key designs and product features.
- MedSitter limits staff exposure. With MedSitter, a remote patient observer can keep watch over a COVID-19 patient 24x7 without having to physically be in the room with them. Patient wants and needs will be known ahead of time, resulting in a consolidated number of trips in and out of the patient’s room by nursing staff, eliminating the need for excessive gowning or risk of exposure. It is a win-win.
- MedSitter’s integrated calling system keeps onsite staff in the loop. When MedSitter is deployed, the observation stations are configured to the facility’s call system. If an observer determines that a COVID-19 patient requires staff intervention, they can call the nurse or nurses station, in extreme cases, ring an alarm within the patient’s room.
- MedSitter alleviates the pressure caused by staff shortages. Imagine a hospital where ten patients or more need a bedside sitter. Often, staff is pulled off the floor to sit at the bedside leaving the remaining staff working short, leading to increased workload and staff burnout. With MedSitter, one remote observer can watch over up to ten patients at one time, alleviating the need for up to ten bedside sitters. Staff that were used to sit at the bedside can now return to the floor to perform their assigned tasks decreasing the workload of the staff on the floor. This is incredibly important in the face of record nursing shortages and staff burnout. If your facility is struggling to keep up with both patient care and nurse burnout, consider installing MedSitter remote patient observation. It will help to alleviate staff while keeping more patients safe. To learn more, fill out the form on our Contact Us page now.
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