Location: Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
When Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust sought to standardise its patient monitoring systems it was driven by the aspiration to be paperless by 2020 and enhance safety with continuous visibility of data throughout the patient journey. Their search led them to Mindray’s solutions.
Salford began a comprehensive process for selecting a new patient monitoring supplier, with clinicians, procurement managers and technical experts, from all key departments. The trial was comprehensive and supplier’s products were trialled across theatres, intensive care and A&E. From the three suppliers Mindray was seen as the rank outsider, however: “By the end of the initial presentations, there was already a unanimous view that, in terms of the concept and capabilities, Mindray was a strong supplier” noted Satpal Singh, Medical Devices Manager. Most of the positive feedback received was regarding the image quality of the Mindray BeneVision N series solution, which was described as ‘absolutely fantastic’. One staff member even stated: ‘This will revolutionise the way the Trust monitors patients.’
Challenges
- Replacement of 20 year old patient monitors required a partner who could provide system-wide, future-proofed solutions
- Transferring patients between departments unmonitored poses an avoidable risk
- Limited visibility of patient data between departments and no connectivity of patient monitoring data to electronic records
- Various peripheral monitoring technologies were making theatres cluttered and accessory costs higher than necessary
The Solution
Mindray monitoring is now fully functional across 20 theatres, with the training and commissioning, provided by Mindray over a four week period. Consultant Anaesthetist, Dr Joe Sebastian, was among the key decisions makers and is delighted with both the products and service provided by Mindray: “The monitoring and compatibility is far superior to what we had,” he said. “The integration of various technologies into one monitor makes data easily visible and theatres tidier. “There is limited space in theatres and induction rooms, but because the Mindray solution is a modular system, this has helped us to save costs on accessories and enabled us to take out surplus equipment.”
Future Partnership
All patient monitoring in the ICU, A&E, EAU and heart care centre will be replaced in 2019 and Salford is also standardising to Mindray defibrillators. The final phase will be to standardise all general ward vital signs and ECG devices to Mindray, at which point Salford will be reaping the benefits of being a fully standardised Mindray hospital. With the support of Mindray, Salford will achieve its aspiration of connecting its monitors to their patient record system in 2019.
Outcomes
- Transferring patients between departments will have reduced risk as patients will be continuously monitored
- Various peripheral monitoring technologies have been removed, providing a more streamlined theatre environment
- Standardisation is providing cost saving on accessories and helps harmonise staff training
- Clinicians believe the technology will ultimately improve efficiency, safety and patient outcomes
- Future-proofed investment – visibility and collection of patient data will be greatly improved when Salford connects all monitors to their electronic record system
Conclusion
Through robust clinical, technical and pricing evaluations Mindray has impressed Salford to become the chosen supplier and long-term partner for the Trust. It is Mindray’s ongoing flexibility and responsiveness that continues to strengthen the relationship. Satpal concluded: “The partnership is a success. There’s nothing we’ve asked for that hasn’t been delivered. It ’s an extremely good relationship.”
