ICU Ensures Nurses Stay Focused on Patient Care

TROY, Ohio - May 29, 2014 - PRLog -- What once took hours, now takes ICU nursing staff mere minutes thanks to an automated messaging service at Mt. Airy Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Because patient counts fluctuate quickly in the Intensive Care Unit, it’s hard to predict staffing needs for each shift. “Our patient-to-nurse ratio is 2:1,” explained Lisa Butler, ICU nurse manager. “If we get two new patients, we need another nurse.”

Prior to the automated service, a nurse or manager called each of 40 department employees one-by-one to get extra coverage. It was costly and time consuming, taking precious time away from patients and their families.

“We no longer need to take a nurse off the floor to make calls,” added Butler. This is especially important now as hospitals are feeling the pressure to improve patient-to-nurse ratios while simultaneously cutting costs.

Butler also notes another advantage, “Now, everyone gets the message at the same time and has the chance to respond to pick up the additional hours, eliminating any perception of favoritism.”

About Mercy Health – Mt. Airy Hospital

Mercy Health makes quality healthcare easy to help their patients and community be well in body, mind and spirit. As a premier healthcare provider with more than 80 network locations throughout Cincinnati, Mercy Health has been serving Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods for more than 160 years. At the heart of Mercy’s services are six award-winning hospitals that provide easy access to leading physicians, advanced technology, experienced and compassionate caregivers, and a wide range of care. Their services include care for all aspects of life from maternity to senior care, primary and specialty care physician practices, outpatient centers, social service agencies and fitness centers to a variety of outreach programs. For more information, please visit http://www.e-mercy.com/mt-airy-hospital.aspx.

About One Call Now

Founded in 2002, One Call Now is America’s largest message notification provider, with 20 percent of American households—55 million Americans—depending on the company for messages that protect, inform, and engage.  For more information, please visit www.onecallnow.com.

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Christina Brownlee

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