Phoebe Sumter’s tele-ICU benefits critically ill patients

AMERICUS – Phoebe Sumter Medical Center has implemented one of the most advanced critical care telemedicine programs available in hospital intensive care units, designed to ensure the highest quality of care for the hospital’s sickest patients.

“A vital part of what we call The Phoebe Way is a commitment to providing exceptional care to every patient, every day,” Phoebe Sumter CEO Carlyle Walton said in a news release. “We are excited to work with Hicuity Health as our partner to bring that exceptional level of care to critically ill patients in our Intensive Care Unit, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Hicuity Health will collaborate with Phoebe Sumter’s expert team of hospitalists, surgeons and cardiologists to add an extra layer of dedicated care to enhance patient safety and well-being in the ICU.

“We have an outstanding team of experienced clinicians onsite who care for our critically ill patients,” Phoebe Sumter Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christopher Taranto said. “The telemonitoring capabilities of Hicuity Health will be an additional resource to ensure we address any emerging issues with patients as quickly as possible through board-certified critical care specialists.”

With their specialized training in critical care and the assistance of advanced computer technology, Hicuity Health intensivists will monitor patients constantly and will be ready to take quick action when a patient’s condition changes. This enhanced level of care, alongside the Phoebe physicians on site, ensures the hospital’s patients receive the most comprehensive care available. Hicuity also will collaborate with the team at Phoebe Sumter on continuous improvement initiatives.

“We are pleased to partner with the physicians and clinicians at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center to provide additional clinical surveillance and support of their ICU patients,” Hicuity Health CEO  Lou Silverman said. “This combination of critical care expertise, advanced telemedicine technology, and work flows aligned with clinical best-practices supports the work of the bedside team to the benefit of our shared patients.”

The program continuously monitors patient vital signs, lab results and clinical status. Proactive data management tools identify problems before they become urgent, prompting immediate intervention when necessary. Two-way audio/video in each patient’s room enables face-to-face consultations between the Phoebe Sumter and Hicuity Health teams.

“The Hicuity Health team serves as an extra layer of care that reassures our doctors their patients are vigilantly monitored even when they are not at the bedside,” Taranto said. “We will have a sense of comfort knowing that our patients will continually receive the highest recommended level of care.”

Special Photo: Phoebe