|
Wilson Memorial Hospital partnered with MD Scientific, LLC, Charlotte, North Carolina, to make the EndoTool® Glucose Management System its primary source for controlling in-patient blood glucose levels. Wilson is the first hospital in the nation to utilize the software system throughout all units of the hospital. EndoTool® Glucose Management System is a highly sophisticated software system that calculates the dose of IV insulin needed to quickly control blood glucose levels in a hospital setting. This FDA-cleared software not only calculates the dose of IV insulin needed, but actively models and adapts to individual patient responses to IV insulin-even those with fluctuating blood glucose levels. “Over the past few years research has demonstrated that keeping blood glucose levels closer to normal in acutely ill medical, surgical and pregnant patients reduces risks of complications,” said Linda Barhorst, RN, certified diabetes educator at Wilson. “This includes decreased infection rates, decrease in blood clots, decreased kidney problems, improved digestion and improved overall healing. For our pregnant patients, this also can result in a healthier baby at time of birth.” The main component of the EndoTool® system is a software program that runs on the hospital’s internal computer system. A physician or nurse inputs the patient’s blood sugar reading into the system and the program computes the appropriate dosage of insulin necessary to maintain the blood sugar readings in the goal range that the physician has selected. EndoTool® automatically computes when the next blood sugar reading is needed. The program even has the capability to prompt the nurse using audible alerts. Controlling blood sugar for patients, even those without diabetes, in acute care settings has been shown to reduce infections and ultimately mortality. The software program leads to prompt control of the glucose level and has a hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, incidence of less than .05%. The software is HIPAA compliant, provides printed and digital records, is user friendly, reduces physician workload, requires no calculations by nurses and allows for local control of many parameters. Prior to the implementation of EndoTool®, Wilson utilized paper records of patients’ insulin dosages and calculations. Now, all records are calculated and maintained in the EndoTool® database. Built-in, engineered math enables hospital staff to enter the patients’ variables and the computer calculates and customizes the insulin dosage requirements needed to control their blood sugar. “Our ultimate goal for implementing blood glucose control software, EndoTool®, is of course to benefit our patients,” said Barhorst. “In the long run, the hospital benefits in several ways. The EndoTool® system helps reduce complications resulting in a shorter length of stay in the hospital, minimizes staff workload, and helps control costs for both the hospital and the patient.” Representatives from MD Scientific, LLC recently traveled to Wilson to train staff on the new EndoTool® system. Hands-on training sessions were conducted and in-patients requiring insulin were transitioned over to the new system. A team of medical professionals were instrumental in acquiring Wilson’s new state-of-the-art technology including: Dr. Prashanth Kumar, Wilson Care endocrinology; Dr. Frederick Simpson, Wilson Care family medicine; Dr. Stephen Blatchly, family medicine; Liz Custis, director of quality management, Linda Barhorst, RN, diabetes education; Sandy Boecker, RN, diabetes education; Melody Eppley, RPh, director of pharmacy; Darlene White, medical technologist, point of care testing coordinator; Linda Maurer, RN, ER/ICU manager; Elisa Strasser, RN, ICU/CCU clinical nurse/educator; Eva Simpkins, RN, telemetry; Marge Baumer, RN, medical/surgical; Paula Mohler, RN, OB clinical nurse; Teresa Clune, RN, management information systems; Judy Steinke, RN, education manager; Lisa Blagg, RN, medical/surgical nurse manager; Jeff Partee, chief informations officer.
|
