A modernized telemetry workflow is good for everyone

Do your telemetry workflows feel like arts and crafts? If you’re stuck in a cycle of unanswered calls, printed rhythm strips, and delayed documentation, you’re not alone. Outdated telemetry workflows are all too common — and, nowadays, entirely avoidable.  

When we modernize telemetry workflows, everyone benefits. Here’s how. 

Better for central monitoring technicians 

“When I speak to monitoring techs, I hear how deeply they care about doing right by the patients they’re monitoring,” says Dana Peco, MSN, BSN, CCRN, Senior Manager of Clinical Development at Baxter International. “We need to give them the tools they need to send relevant information to caregivers to help them protect patients.” 

With an automated telemetry workflow, techs can send actual waveform data to the appropriate caregiver without having to look them up and work through a phone list until someone answers. They can see, in real time, where the alerts are routed, and who accepts them. 

“Now the monitoring tech knows they’ve done their job — an appropriate caregiver has the information they need about this patient, and they are addressing it at the bedside.”  

Better for nurses 

With an automated workflow, nurses receive appropriate telemetry alerts for their patients — wherever they are. These alerts contain actual waveform data and crucial context like current and recent vital signs. With this data, nurses can address the event at the bedside and send relevant information to the physician to help inform their clinical decisions.   

“What if our nurse is in the middle of a sterile procedure and can’t access their device to review the alert?” asks Peco. “An automated system will not only escalate to another appropriate caregiver but will also show the nurse that the event was acknowledged and cancel the original alert. This means they aren’t leaving another bedside to make sure the patient received the care they need. They can see right away what action was taken and what, if anything, they need to do now.” 

Better for physicians 

Physicians need easy access to telemetry information from nurses — without overloading them with alerts. 

“I’ve had physicians ask to receive all telemetry alerts on their phones. That lasted less than six hours,” laughs Peco. “Generally speaking, physicians don’t need all telemetry and physiological monitoring alerts on their phones. They need tools to help them see what their nurses see, and make better clinical decisions.” 

Better for patients 

Patients rely on informed care teams to keep them safe. Manual processes can be slow and cumbersome — and for patients on telemetry, every moment counts. 

“Printing rhythm strips. Attaching labels. Faxing or tubing information to Medical Records. All these manual activities delay documentation in the patient chart, which can delay clinical decisions,” explains Peco. “Automated, mobile telemetry solutions are designed to alert care teams to trends and events as early as possible, and help the appropriate person respond quickly. It’s all about patient safety, and choosing a smart workflow to support it.” 

In a data-rich industry like healthcare, manual telemetry workflows are outdated at best — and potentially dangerous at worst. Automated, mobile workflows can help everyone benefit from better information and faster responses. Our monitoring technicians, nurses, physicians and patients deserve no less. 

Hillrom is now a part of Baxter. Its Voalte platform is a unified care communications solution that helps bring caregivers, patients and families together. Visit us online and discover how we are redefining care — for good. 

Voalte is a trademark of Baxter International, Inc. or its subsidiaries.