The Jewish Hospital Manages Flow of Patients With Newly Installed NaviCare System

Cincinnati-The Jewish Hospital has installed NaviCare, a computer system that manages the flow of patients in real time. By glancing at monitors located at the nurses' stations, on desktop computers and on wall-mounted screens, staff members can view details such as the status of patients, available beds and attending medical personnel assigned to each patient. Wall-mounted screens in the waiting areas allow patients' family members to see the progress of their loved one through the stages of their surgery.

For example, family members can see what time their loved one is moved from surgery to the recovery area. The information is displayed on the screen with a special code in order to protect patient confidentiality.

"We installed the NaviCare system to help us better communicate with our patients' families by keeping them informed in real-time about where their loved ones are and what's happening to them. It also gives our staff real-time patient information," says Janice Falstrom, vice president, The Jewish Hospital. "We hope the system will provide comfort to family members waiting in the endoscopy and surgical lounge areas, and also create a more efficient means of managing the flow of patients, staff and capacity."

The NaviCare system includes a number of different features that benefit staff and patients, including informing nursing units about which patients will soon be admitted to their floors, and allowing staff to quickly request services such as housekeeping or transportation.Hospitals across the country that use the NaviCare system, such as Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis, Minn. and the University of Pennsylvania, have reported enhanced patient flow management and increases in capacity usage, efficiency and admissions.

The Jewish Hospital is an acute care hospital located in Cincinnati's northeast suburbs. It was established in 1850 as the first Jewish hospital in the United States and is part of the Health Alliance, an integrated health care delivery system. To view other Jewish Hospital news releases, go to www.JewishHospitalCincinnati.com.

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