Welch Allyn announced on Tuesday that it entered into a partnership with a cloud-based software platform company, PointClickCare, to develop a solution for the senior care market. The collaboration will integrate Welch Allyn’s Connex Vital Signs Monitor with PointClickCare’s EHR platform.
In 2012, about 58,000 paid, regulated long-term care service providers served about 8 million people in the U.S., according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A solution that streamlines care can greatly help them make better and faster decisions on care plans.
The integrated solution allows the long-term care providers to wirelessly capture data on a device and transfer it directly to the EHR. It can transfer heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and pulse oximetry measurements as well as height and weight.
Martin Luther Care Center in Minnesota deployed the solution and estimated that it saves them about 10 minutes per round. The nurses are able to use that extra time to care for their patients, perform other tasks and potentially reduce overtime hours.
Since the nurses aren’t manually writing down vital signs, it virtually eliminates any human errors. “Any time-saver we can give front line staff is valuable — and safety is the number one concern for all our residents. This solution addresses both critical needs.” Coral Lindahl, PointClickCare coordinator from Ebenezer / Fairview Care Centers, said in a statement.
Welch Allyn announced another partnership with the Ohio State University College of Nursing last month to learn about the standard physical exam process and how it may be changing in the near future. They are developing a structured approach to evaluate the challenges and workflow involved with performing those exams and the actions that result, including patient interventions and health care provider referrals.
