Centralized monitoring system enhances patient care at Aberdeen Hospital

New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Friday, September 6, 2024

An advanced patient monitoring system has been transforming patient care across the Women & Children’s Unit and the Surgical Inpatient Unit at Aberdeen Hospital this past year, thanks to funding from the Aberdeen Health Foundation.

The Masimo Patient SafetyNet has been a major enhancement in person-centered care, improving the safety and monitoring capabilities for patients in critical areas of the hospital. With a total commitment of a little over a quarter of a million dollars from the Aberdeen Health Foundation, this state-of-the-art technology is positively impacting patient outcomes and operational efficiency in the hospital.

Photo caption: Suzanne Munro-MacLean, RN (left) and Shawna Chenell, Health Services Manager (right) display the new patient monitoring technology at Aberdeen Hospital. This new central monitoring system not only enhances patient care for those using the equipment but also optimizes existing hospital resources by minimizing the need for interdepartmental resource sharing and patient transfers.

Enhancements in the Women & Children’s Unit

In the Women & Children’s Unit, the Masimo Patient SafetyNet enables centralized monitoring of up to ten patients simultaneously. This upgrade increases safety for pediatric patients, particularly those with respiratory issues, and supports more efficient in-room options for newborns. It also facilitates the transfer of post-gynecological surgery patients to the unit, where they receive specialized care and accurate, timely monitoring. This system not only benefits patients but also frees up beds in other parts of the hospital.

“The impact on the hospital is immense,” says Shawna Chenell, Health Services Manager for the Women & Children’s Unit. “We can now keep pediatric patients needing monitoring closer to home, which reduces the need for patient transfers to other centres and enhances our ability to provide specialized care.”

Surgical Inpatient Unit Upgrades

In the Surgical Inpatient Unit, the Foundation’s funding has equipped 14 out of 27 beds with the new technology. This system is essential for post-operative monitoring, particularly for patients with sleep apnea or those on pain medications affecting respiratory status. The Masimo Patient SafetyNet offers centralized monitoring of oxygen saturation and heart rate, which alleviates the burden on telemetry resources that are required for critical cardiac rhythm monitoring. The additional monitoring capacity has reduced delays and cancellations of other procedures.

Amanda MacLaren, Health Services Manager for the Surgical Inpatient Unit, notes that the new technology is enhancing post-operative care. “Masimo allows our care team to continuously monitor a patient during their post-operative period, or for other medical reasons. Staff are immediately alerted to changes in the patient’s status, and able to assess or intervene as required. Prior to the purchase of this technology, any patients requiring continuous monitoring would need to access resources from other departments within the hospital.”

“The support from the Foundation has been pivotal,” adds Shawna Chenell. “Their contributions equip us with the tools needed to deliver exceptional care while keeping patients closer to home.”

The Aberdeen Health Foundation is the leading charity for enhancing health care in Pictou County. In 2023 the Foundation invested over $2 million to fund medical equipment and enhance health programs at the Aberdeen Hospital and in our community. Funding for the Masimo Patient SafetyNet was made possible by generous donations from our community members. Please consider giving without restriction, as unrestricted contributions allow the Foundation to address emerging and evolving needs with the greatest flexibility and impact. Learn more about ways to give to the Aberdeen Health Foundation here.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle Ferris
Executive Director
Aberdeen Health Foundation

902-752-7600 ext. 4442
Michelle.Ferris@nshealth.ca