Dr. Thomas Kalb, M.D., medical director of Advanced ICU Care, presented the findings of a study that documented the measured results of daily scheduled ventilator rounds via a Tele-ICU platform. The findings showed that ventilator rounds via a Tele-ICU platform enhanced patient outcomes which included a significant reduction in the time that patient spent on mechanical ventilation. There also was improved adherence to low tidal volume strategy which is the standard for comparing and evaluating newer strategies for lung protection.
Dr. Kalb presented these findings at the annual conference for the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST).
Advanced ICU care is the nation’s largest independent Tele-ICU provider. It has successfully implemented and managed more Tele-ICU programs than any other provider. Advanced ICU care’s Tele-ICU programs combine sophisticated technology, collaborating program of experienced care team with hospital staff to achieve best practices that improve patient care.
Dr. Kalb emphasized that due to an aging population with increasing medical needs and a nationwide shortage of intensivist physicians who specialize in critical care; hospitals are turning to telemedicine in the ICU to provide the highest standard of patient care and to also maximize clinical and operational efficiencies. He added that the study shows how multidisciplinary ventilator rounds including tele-ICU intensivists improve both clinical and operational efficiencies. Dr. Thomas went on to add that reducing the amount of time that patients are on ventilators is especially important, because the longer a patient is on a ventilator, the greater the chance that complications might occur.
Dr. Kalb concluded that Tele-ICUs proved to be an integral component in the process improvements for ventilator rounds at these respective hospitals. He added that this is another example of how these programs support hospitals by driving best practices to achieve quality patient care every day.
The study focused its observations on community hospitals with tele-ICU services. The findings were compared during both pre and post ventilator round implementation. Tele-ICU intensivists utilized two-way cameras and monitors to communicate with the bedside respiratory therapist and the designated nurses on staff. CXR review, Ventilator settings and a liberation readiness evaluation was compared with a checklist which was pre-populated by the Tele-ICU nurse and the nurse practitioner.
Edited by
Amanda Ciccatelli
