Electronic vital signs documentation results in more immediate and accurate patient data, improved workflow and satisfaction
Welch Allyn Technology Provides Connectivity Between Diagnostic Devices and EMR
, a leading medical diagnostic device company that specializes in helping clinicians improve patient outcomes, has been working with to connect several of its vital signs devices, monitors and ECG units to Epic’s Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system to help eliminate the need for manual data entry by providers, increase efficiency and alleviate the risk of transcription and latency errors. By establishing connectivity between Welch Allyn devices and the EMR, clinicians are able to transfer patient test results directly between diagnostic devices and the EMR— resulting in immediate access to accurate patient data and improved workflow.
“With immediate access to patient data, clinicians are able to make better informed, faster decisions on the care plans of their patients,” said Garrison Gomez, director of Integrated Devices at Welch Allyn. “The ability to assess changes in patients’ conditions and have access to current patient data from anywhere on the health IT network helps improve overall patient care. By developing connectivity between Welch Allyn devices and EMR systems such as Epic, we can help facilities meet the needs of the clinicians and their patients in a very efficient way.”
Studies on manual vitals documentation have shown that 4,000 omission and/or transcription errors can occur per year for a 100-bed facility (of which about 80% are lower acuity floors); 3,200 hours were wasted with manual vital sign documentation; and more than $100,000 was lost in productivity due to lack of access to vitals. The availability of an automated system that captures and wirelessly transmits patient data helps eliminate these issues. Providers can visit to calculate a cost estimate using the Welch Allyn Connex Vital Signs Documentation Value Analyzer tool.
The Welch Allyn family of Epic-connected vital signs devices include:
The company’s full line of connected cardiopulmonary devices includes:
Welch Allyn is a leading global healthcare company that offers a complete range of digital and connected diagnostic solutions that help reduce risk and enhance workflow in a variety of clinical settings. Founded in 1915 and headquartered in Skaneateles Falls, NY (USA), Welch Allyn is a family-owned business that employs nearly 2,500 employees in 26 different countries. The company specializes in helping doctors, nurses, and other frontline practitioners across the globe enhance care by developing innovative products, breakthrough technologies, and cutting-edge solutions that improve patient outcomes, safety and satisfaction. More information about Welch Allyn and its complete line of connected products and solutions may be found at .
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1. Calculations based on these sources; sample calculations available upon request. Computers, Informatics, Nursing: September/October 2009 - Volume 27 - Issue 5 - pp 318-323, Connected Care: Reducing Errors Through Automated Vital Signs Data Upload, SMITH, LAURA B. MSN, RN; et al. Automated Vital Sign Documentation for Medical Surgical Units: Saving Time and Increasing Accuracy: Fact or Fairytale? Meg Meccariello RN MS, Jennifer Johnstone RN MS, Presented at The Nursing Management Congress 2008 Las Vegas, NV. Vital signs measurement frequency estimates from Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants: A Humanistic Approach to Caregiving" Pamela J. Carter - 2007 Page 292. Hospital beds (most recent) by country estimates from NationMaster.com, Population, Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division.