Many hospitals struggle with how to comply with the CMS Readmissions Reduction Program aimed at reducing the number of patients who return to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. Saratoga Hospital is taking action using iatricSystems Visual SmartBoard, which presents key clinical data for patients on one screen that’s updated in real-time. Hospital staff can customize SmartBoards to create an infinite number of views of patient care, displayed on large screens at strategic locations, on office PCs, and on iPads as caregivers make their rounds.
Since the SmartBoards went live at Saratoga Hospital, 30-day readmissions have dropped significantly. “Visual SmartBoard has dramatically changed the workflow in our entire hospital,” says Nan Till, Senior Systems Analyst–Information Systems, Saratoga Hospital. “Rather than reviewing multiple reports that show a patient’s condition at a specific time, caregivers now have a real-time view of critical information at a glance.”
SmartBoards for High-Risk Patients
Two SmartBoards, one in the ED, the other for inpatients, are specifically used for high-risk patients. “Using the SmartBoards, we can identify and monitor those patients from the moment they arrive at the ED and throughout their inpatient stay. We’re able to take a good look at those high-risk people, while getting updates in real time,” adds Natalie Kennedy, Pharmacy Systems Analyst at Saratoga Hospital.
The ED high-risk SmartBoard identifies patients discharged within 30 days along with criteria such as age, symptoms, and medical history. “When a patient arrives, a care manager can see on the SmartBoard when the patient is back in the ED, so they can have a discussion with the patient as to what’s going on,” Nan explains. The SmartBoard also shows if patients qualify for a community program that helps ensure they are safe, have their meds, and can get to their appointments.
If a patient is admitted, his information flows to the inpatient high-risk SmartBoard board, where he’s monitored throughout his stay. The SmartBoard identifies the patient as a 30-day readmit, and alerts the assigned nurse and the attending physician of any code status, isolation level, and other key information that caregivers need.
SmartBoards throughout the Hospital
Nan and Natalie have built many other Visual SmartBoards now used throughout Saratoga Hospital. Three Pharmacy SmartBoards show orders in progress, orders awaiting lab results and/or physician clarification, and changes to dosages/ times. A Central Line SmartBoard keeps track of inpatient IV lines including when a line was inserted, when it has to be removed, and when the dressing was last changed. A Dietary SmartBoard shows, among other things, how much the patient consumed at meals, and their changing BMI and weight. Infection Control SmartBoards show patients at risk of infection, precautions taken, and lab results. Respiratory SmartBoards show patients on respiratory meds, next med due, attending provider, and similar information. There’s even a Dirty Linen SmartBoard that alerts housekeeping staff when a bed needs to be changed.
Nan and Natalie continue rolling out new SmartBoards to support additional units and functions at Saratoga Hospital. “People recognize how useful they are,” Natalie adds. “Since we introduced the first SmartBoard, every department wants one.”