In 2021, CHS-affiliated hospitals Shorepoint Health Punta Gorda and Shorepoint Health Port Charlotte became the first participants in a pilot program to test the AvaSure Virtual Care Platform, a telehealth solution that monitors hospitalized patients at high risk for falls. Using mobile or fixed room camera devices with two-way audio, staff members can see anywhere inside a patient room from a remote station and respond in real-time when needed.
Rather than assigning staff sitters to stay in one patient’s room around the clock, AvaSure allows for simultaneous video surveillance of multiple patients. This frees up valuable time for caregivers to focus on other duties. If a patient tries to get out of bed or pulls at an IV, a team member can speak directly to the patient without leaving their station. If the patient does not follow verbal instructions, an alarm will sound and a nurse immediately responds.
In the initial pilot, the hospitals saw a 48% reduction in falls. Shorepoint Health was honored with AvaSure’s “Path to Zero” award which recognizes the organization with the most impressive fall reduction program centered around the AvaSure tele-sitter platform.
“Having the ability to monitor our high fall risk patients has had such a positive impact on our facility as a whole. It has given our nursing staff peace of mind knowing that we have an extra set of eyes, and voice at times, in place to keep our patients safe, and ultimately patient safety is the priority,” says Ashlee Robishaw, RN at ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte Orthopedic unit. “An additional benefit is that the use of AvaSure has allowed clinical, non-licensed staff (CNAs and PCAs) to return to the bedside, assisting with the care of our patients.”
The program was expanded to an additional 15 CHS-affiliated hospitals in Arkansas, Indiana, and Tennessee. In 2022, there were no reported serious safety events as a result of falls for patients on the virtual sitting program at the participating hospitals.
More hospitals are being evaluated for phase 2 of the program which will launch later this year. In addition to reducing falls and optimizing staff time, the program is expected to reduce the cost of care.