Context
As one of Finland’s leading healthcare institutions, Hospital Nova has revolutionized the way it approaches and tracks the patient journey. Today, caregivers no longer manually enter health data into the information system thanks to Enovacom technology. Our solutions support:
- 500 users.
- A scannable QR code that saves time.
- Identity monitoring through biomedical interoperability.
- A framework that adapts to all medical devices.
Established in early 2021 in Jyväskylä, central Finland, Hospital Nova is a state-of-the-art facility that had addressed the issue of health data security years earlier.
“We wanted the new information system to integrate all patient health data, including medical examinations from different medical devices,” said Esa Elomaa, Chief Anesthesiologist at Hospital Nova.
“This would enable us to centralize information input, thereby freeing up time for other caregiving activities. We could also improve the quality and scope of patient data.”
“We used to match the medical examination data provided by the devices to the patient’s location, rather than the patient themselves. Subsequently, staff would manually enter data from various sources into the patient data management system.”
Interoperable information system for Hospital Nova
Hospital Nova’s objective was to establish an innovative and unique information system, managed and maintained from a single source. This meant that calls for tenders did not only cover equipment; the goal was to get a comprehensive turnkey solution that could track the patient journey.
“The calls for tenders were open to comment, thus opening a dialogue with all suppliers,” explained Esa Elomaa. Hospital Nova signed a 10-year partnership and development contract with OneMed, a healthcare consulting firm.
“As part of the contract, OneMed offered equipment from several suppliers, including patient monitors from Dräger and Welch Allyn, anesthesia machines and ventilators from Dräger, and infusion devices from Fresenius. The solution was built around the needs identified by the hospital,” says Markus Henriksson, CEO of OneMed.
“The most important aspect of this new system was the ability to link real-time patient data from Enovacom’s interoperability platform to biomedical devices, no matter their manufacturer, and integrate that data with the patient data management system.”
“Now, the implementation has clarified business processes and provided a unified system for data transfer essential to nursing colleagues. In addition, biomedical devices integrated into the platform in the future will be compatible with Enovacom technology,” said Kari Varvikko, Chief Technology Officer at Hospital Nova.
“This change improves the efficiency of the care pathway and increases patient safety,” he continued. “Patient data is also available from different user interfaces, making our day-to-day work easier. For example, staff no longer need to use only the biomedical device screen; they can also view medical exam data on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet.”
Hospital Nova chooses Enovacom Patient Connect
OneMed teams have been training hospital staff in the use of the patient data tracking and transcription technology following the installation of this new information system.
Nearly 2,000 professionals have learned how to use tracking monitors, ventilators, infusion devices and computer systems. Approximately 500 emergency department personnel use the software every day. In addition, the hospital can connect over 1,000 devices to the patient using Enovacom Patient Connect.
“OneMed began the training process with an online session, but actual user training could only take place when there was a functional environment in the hospital. Such a notable change in business processes takes about a year of training before everyone has the skills to fully use the device and reap its full benefits,” explained Esa Elomaa.
“The new system allows you to seamlessly link medical device measurement parameters to patient ID, eliminating transcription errors. A patient’s wristband links to a QR code on the medical device to create a ‘patient/device connection’.”
At any time, a nurse can link a patient’s bracelet to a device using a smartphone. The patient identification system synchronizes with the new software, and the process is made easier as all staff use the same types of devices and user interfaces.
Hospital Nova impressed with Enovacom Patient Connect
The technology does not depend on any manufacturer and is compatible with a myriad of biomedical devices. In fact, the medical devices used at Hospital Nova come from several different manufacturers. Patient monitors, anesthesia machines, ventilators, and perfusion devices are all connected to Enovacom Patient Connect.
In addition, patients do not notice the change from the old tracking system, as each has their own bracelet and monitor.
Nursing staff are the ones who see the real benefits. Day-to-day nursing care is easier to administer, as different data entry steps are eliminated and nurses can view patient data from any device.
“The Enovacom solution is easy to learn, so nurses can quickly put it to use. Automatically integrating data into patient records ensures peace of mind for hospital staff, while saving valuable time so they can concentrate on their core task, namely patient care. Caregivers can also now view their patients’ data from mobile devices, regardless of which department they are in.
What is next for the Hospital Nova project?
Hospital Nova is developing the solution as part of a 10-year development partnership that aims to ensure that the hospital can benefit from the latest technology. Specialists in Hospital Nova’s Department of Medical Technology are working closely with OneMed, Enovacom and manufacturer Dräger.
“As partners, we want to create an even better system for patients and hospital staff. In ten years, I think we will have made a lot of progress in developing this,” said Anne Vartiainen, Sales Director at OneMed.
The hospital’s next priority is to expand its remote data monitoring capability. For example, if a new inflammation is seen during follow-up with a patient at home, the caregiver at the hospital should receive an alert so that care can begin quickly.
In the future, data collected from Enovacom’s biomedical interoperability platform will also enable the use of artificial intelligence to improve patient quality of life and healthcare outcomes.
“Over time, I’m confident that we will be able to use various sensors and wearables to get a range of patient data,” said Kari Varvikko, Chief Technology Officer at the hospital. “We may also learn to create algorithms from medical exam data to facilitate patient care, or obtain patient self-monitoring data from their medical devices.”
Hospital Nova’s partnership with Enovacom and OneMed exemplifies its commitment to innovation and excellence in patient care. By embracing biomedical interoperability, the hospital has paved the way for a future where data is seamlessly integrated and enables patient-centric healthcare.
