Healthcare IT News - September 2008 - (Page 18) 18 Healthcare IT News September 2008 ■ hoSpItalS & IdNs www.HealthcareITNews.com Sharp HealthCare harnesses It to fight infection By BerNIe MoNegaIN, Editor Sharp HealthCare will put IT to work on tracking and preventing healthcare-associated infections at five of its hospitals. The hospitals soon will deploy Premier SafetySurveillor infection control and pharmacy modules to track and prevent the infections, known as HAIs, and optimize antibiotic use. The goal is to increase patient SAN DIEGO - safety and reduce costs, Sharp executives said. Sharp HealthCare and the Premier healthcare alliance, both based in San Diego, are both recipients of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. “Healthcare professionals are acutely aware of the importance of managing infections in the clinical setting to provide patients with the best and safest care,” said Nancy Pratt, Sharp’s senior vice Grossmont Hospital in president of clinical effecLa Mesa and Sharp Mary tiveness. Pratt said a Sharp Birch Hospital for Women team evaluated a number in San Diego. of infection control systems “Research has shown before selecting Premier’s. HAIs are often preventS h a r p w i l l d e p l o y MRSA under a able if identified and isolated in time,” said SafetySurveillor in Sharp microscope Memorial Hospital in San Diego, Premier Epidemiologist and Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center Director of Infection Prevention in Chula Vista, Sharp Coronado Salah Qutaishat. “Premier is comHospital in Coronado, Sharp mitted to helping hospitals find and implement innovative infection control methods to create safer hospital environments and improve the quality of patient care.” The technology helps hospitals meet state-mandated public reporting of certain HAIs, including screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile, some of the most common and harmful infections found in hospitals today. ■ More at HealthcareITNews.com e Connect: SHarP 0908 l How is your healthcare organization tackling healthcare-acquired infections? send your comments to editor Bernie Monegain at bernie.monegain@ medtechpublishing.com. DIsNey Continued from page 14 Today’s need to expedite decisions leaves no room for spotty cellular coverage. And the need for reliable mobile connectivity is growing. A recent study estimates that almost 70% of U.S. physicians will use Smartphones for everything from charge capture to data retrieval and entry during rounds.* Guaranteed in-hospital delivery of cellular and PCS services is just one of the many benefits of our Converged Wireless Hospital solution. To discover how we deliver an unmatched level of wireless assurance across the complete wireless spectrum, visit www.innerwireless.com or call 214-242-7777 . *Defining the Black Bag for the 21st Century: The Evolution of Mobile eHealth Applications. The Diffusion Group. es that the patient can personalize. “Philips is delivering a captivating and comforting child-friendly space. We’re incorporating the latest in clinical design and technologies, as well as elements, to provide calming, positive assurances to patients and their families,” said Brent Shafer, executive vice president and CEO, North America, for Philips Healthcare. Technology will extend to the in-room experience as well, where Interactive Patient Care technology will allow bedside access to GetWellNetwork’s Patient-Life System. The Bethesda, Md.-based technology provider will give patients access to video and Internet and parents access to the latest information on childhood obesity, asthma, diabetes and other educaMichael O’Neil Jr. tional topics. “Thi technology enhances the patient experience and gives them access to interactive resources that educate and entertain to make their stay as comfortable as possible,” said Michael O’Neil, Jr., founder and CEO, GetWellNetwork. The new hospital will have a team of pediatric physicians who specialize in advanced, minimally invasive surgery. Antonia Novello, MD, a former United States Surgeon General, will provide leadership for the children’s health and policy platform. “The addition of Dr. Novello to our staff is a real coup for Disney Children’s Hospital and the children of Central Florida and beyond,” said Marla Silliman, administrator of Disney Children’s Hospital at Florida Hospital. “In addition, the skill and expertise of renowned pediatric surgeons and the Nicholson Center for Surgical Advancement will help keep us on the leading edge of surgical technology.” ■ More at HealthcareITNews.com e Connect: DISNeY 0908 l e l Connect: INNerwIreLeSS 0908 http://www.HealthcareITNews.com http://HealthcareITNews.com http://www.healthcareitnews.com/story.cms?id=9890 http://www.innerwireless.com http://www.innerwireless.com http://HealthcareITNews.com http://www.healthcareitnews.com/story.cms?id=9886 http://www.healthcareitnews.com/eConnect.cms?id=9941
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