VA Spinal Cord Injury Center demonstrates clinical improvement with EarlySense monitoring system

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A Veterans Administration (VA) Spinal Cord Injury Center has reported significant positive clinical results achieved with the EarlySense monitoring system. The scientific poster showing the results was presented at the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals 2015 Educational Conference (6–9 September, New Orleans, USA).

Patient safety for chronically ill spinal cord injury patients in the hospital is an ongoing challenge. Early detection of patient deterioration has helped drive significant clinical improvements in the veterans spinal cord unit. Post implementation results showed a decrease of more than 60% in medical response team activations; code blue activations decreased by 50%. Furthermore, intensive care unit transfers decreased by 40% and mortality following MRT/code activations decreased by 83%. These results were derived from the monitoring of 1,150 patients monitored on the EarlySense system during a one year period of time, after the VA Medical Center purchased and implemented the EarlySense system.

“These are at-risk patients and it is vital to protect their clinical progress. To have such a meaningful impact on outcomes for our veterans is very rewarding. A reduction of 80% in mortality following major deteriorations, is a breakthrough in quality of care which the professional team at the Spinal Cord Injury Center should be applauded.” said Tim O’Malley, president of EarlySense. “In adding the EarlySense system to existing clinical support efforts, the spinal cord injury centre staff elevate their level of response and, therefore, improve outcomes for these veterans.”

The EarlySense monitoring system, a solution designed for proactive and personalised patient care for general care non-intensive care patients, monitors patients’ heart rate, respiratory rate and motion on a continuous basis, through a contact-free sensor under the mattress, or within a cushion of a chair. The system has allowed the VA Spinal Cord Injury Center to facilitate timely interventions for spinal cord injury veterans by adding a layer of care with continuous monitoring and drawing attention to those who show early signs of deterioration and who may require timely clinical intervention.