New feature targets HAPI prevention, addressing critical CMS rule changes and enhancing suite of integrated patient safety solutions
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. – August 27, 20/24 – Collette Health, a leader in virtual patient safety solutions, today announced the launch of its new Position Monitoring feature as part of its virtual patient observation system. This advanced tool expands the capabilities of Collette Health’s already effective fall prevention system to address another critical healthcare challenge: hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs).
New CMS Rules Heighten Urgency for HAPI Prevention
The launch of this feature comes at a crucial time for healthcare providers. Recent changes to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Harm-Pressure Injury (H-PI) measure will include stage 2 pressure injuries in the current hospital harm list, alongside stage 3, 4, and unstageable pressure injuries, beginning with the 2025 reporting period. Additionally, CMS has resumed charging hospitals for pressure injuries after a temporary pause during the pandemic. These regulatory changes underscore the urgent need for effective HAPI prevention strategies, making Collette Health’s Position Monitoring feature a timely and relevant solution for healthcare providers.
“The Position Monitoring feature represents a natural evolution of our offerings,” said Holly Miller, President of Collette Health. “By staying closely attuned to market trends and regulatory changes, we’re able to anticipate healthcare needs and deploy innovative solutions that address challenges before they become critical issues.”
Addressing the HAPI Challenge
These new regulations highlight the growing concern over the prevalence and cost of HAPIs in healthcare settings. The financial implications are already significant, with the average cost of treating a HAPI at $21,767 and the U.S. healthcare system spending up to $11.6 billion annually on this issue. With the inclusion of stage 2 pressure injuries in the CMS Hospital Harm-Pressure Injury measure, healthcare facilities may face increased financial pressures, potentially exacerbating the economic burden of HAPIs.
Recent studies indicate that emerging technologies can predict pressure injuries 20% better than current methods. By leveraging innovative solutions like Position Monitoring, healthcare providers can make substantial progress in HAPI prevention, potentially saving billions in healthcare costs and, more importantly, reducing suffering and improving patient outcomes.
Supporting Nursing Staff with Smart Technology
Position Monitoring enhances Collette Health’s integrated patient safety solution. While virtual observers already monitor patients for falls and other safety concerns, this new tool expands their capabilities to include continuous patient positioning assessment.
For nurses managing multiple patients who cannot always be at the bedside, this additional layer of monitoring provides crucial support. The feature allows virtual observers to alert nursing colleagues when repositioning is needed, complementing existing fall prevention and general safety monitoring.
Key features include:
- Documentation of Patient Positioning: Virtual observers can easily log patient positions within the system.
- Customizable Alerts: The system allows for setting personalized alerts based on patient needs.
- Proactive Notification System: If a patient remains in the same position for an extended period, the system notifies the observer, who can then promptly remind nursing staff to reposition the patient.
- Two-Way Communication: Observers can engage directly with patients, encouraging them to shift positions when appropriate, empowering patients to be active participants in their care.
The new Position Monitoring feature strengthens the impact of the virtual observer with proactive tools, enabling them to be a powerful partner to the bedside nurse, providing them with actionable information aimed at ensuring patient safety.
Seamless and Streamlining Workflows
The Position Monitoring feature integrates seamlessly into Collette Health’s virtual patient observation systems, requiring no additional sensors or equipment. This approach offers several benefits:
- EMR Compatibility: Working in harmony with EMR systems or through API connections, the feature automatically documents changes in patient position, significantly reducing the charting burden for nursing staff.
- Efficient Time Management: By automating position monitoring, nurses can spend more time in hands-on care and higher-level clinical services.
- Streamlined Approach: Unlike competitors’ systems that require an additional wearable sensor, Collette Health’s solution integrates seamlessly into existing workflows, offering a more streamlined approach to patient care and HAPI prevention.
The Position Monitoring feature not only enhances patient safety but also improves overall efficiency in healthcare settings. Through continuous collaboration with healthcare professionals, Collette Health designs intuitive solutions that address real-world clinical needs and elevate the standard of care.
To learn more about Collette Health and the new Position Monitoring feature, visit collettehealth.com.
About Collette Health
Collette Health gives healthcare teams freedom from worry about their patients’ safety. Through continuous virtual patient observation solutions, Collette Health ensures nurses can focus on healing interventions, knowing that their patients are safe. By integrating real observers with human-centered AI technology, Collette Health enhances clinical workflows, improves the safety and quality of clinical care, and lowers both direct and indirect costs of patient care.
Rated 90% by KLAS, Collette Health’s solutions have reduced fall rates by 68%, saving $1.17 billion in fall-related costs in 2023. Used by more than 170 hospitals and health systems, their solutions include a two-way communication system, multilingual translation services (including American Sign Language), and a Third Party Join feature, enabling observers, patients, families, and their care teams to interact and collaborate effectively in real time. Collette Health is dedicated to revolutionizing patient safety and clinical care with innovative and reliable solutions—because patients are safer when they’re not alone.
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