Patient monitoring, information technology  

Philips bedside patient monitors give evidence-based care guidance

19 April 2007

Andover, Mass., USA. Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHI) has introduced ProtocolWatch, an application for its IntelliVue patient monitors that analyses patient monitoring data using evidence-based care protocols. It then gives guidance for patient care on the patient monitor screen, giving clinical decision support at the bedside.

David Russell, Philips Medical Systems’ vice president for marketing, points out that physicians have overwhelming amounts of raw data to deal with. “Medical technology can provide endless numbers of data points. But beyond merely providing that accumulation of data,
at Philips we’re designing clinical decision support systems to provide clinicians a clearer picture of what’s happening with a patient, turning data into clear, pertinent information and even providing guidance through clinical protocols,” says Russell.

Combating severe sepsis

Severe sepsis is a condition in which the body’s immune response to an infection spirals out of control, leading to organ dysfunction and death. It is the leading cause of death in non-coronary intensive care units. According to a 2001 study, sepsis has a mortality rate
of 30 to 50% and an average cost per case of about $22,000 (Angus, DC et al., Crit Care Med 2001; Jul 29(7):1303-1310). Complicating efforts to improve care, the symptoms of sepsis can appear similar to other conditions, resulting in diagnoses that can
come too late.

ProtocolWatch brings the care guidelines developed by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) to the Philips IntelliVue patient monitoring platform. The SSC protocol defines the physiological parameters that indicate the onset of severe sepsis. Since ProtocolWatch is built into the patient monitor, it can use the patient’s vital signs to help clinicians screen for this deadly condition.

Once one of the parameters that act as an early warning sign for sepsis reaches the limits defined by the SSC protocol, a ProtocolWatch window appears on the monitor screen. This window prompts clinicians to check for other clinical signs of severe sepsis. If these signs are not present it resumes screening in the background.

If a clinician diagnoses a patient with severe sepsis the Sepsis Resuscitation Bundle is launched, displaying a checklist of interventions recommended by the SSC Sepsis Protocol. Since timing is critical when treating sepsis, a timer is also displayed. Once the Sepsis Resuscitation Bundle has ended recommendations from the SSC Sepsis Management Bundle are provided.

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