Key Features of Clinivision® Mobile Patient Charting Software

Clinical Operations Management

Puritan Bennett Clinivision Mobile Patient Charting (MPC) Software has helped Respiratory Care departments automate billing and implement electronic charting, to eliminate many of the inefficiencies associated with manual processes. Although many information systems are designed to automate manual processes, Clinivision software does a whole lot more. It enables departments to effectively manage work flow and productivity, thereby functioning as a Clinical Operations Management System.

A Clinical Operations Management System:

Charting

Puritan Bennett Clinivision Mobile Patient Charting Software makes it easy to document patient care at the bedside using a small charting device. Since charting is performed at the point of care, details are not forgotten or skipped, and information gathering is enhanced.

New charting device technology enables Puritan Bennett to bring vast improvements to mobile healthcare computing. Clinivision software uses the familiar Microsoft® Windows® interface, which makes it easy to use and allows other MS-Windows applications to run on the same charting device.

By employing open systems architecture and a clinical operations management focus, the charting device becomes a mobile workstation in the hands of its users. Each user has access to work assignments, patient and order information, and clinical patient history.

Patient-Driven Protocols
The larger display on charting devices allows clinicians to review more than one clinical observation at a time. This facilitates better patient assessments and enables patient-driven protocols, or standards of care, to be more easily implemented. Following protocols can eliminate unnecessary routine procedures and ensure that necessary treatments are performed.

Two challenges in implementing protocols are:

• The effort required to gather data necessary to quantify outcomes.
• Monitoring and enforcing compliance with protocols.

Clinivision charting software addresses both of these challenges by making it easy to gather and track patient information.

Easy Data Entry
An important issue with mobile healthcare computing is the amount of time it takes to enter data. Clinivision MPC Software has many features that make data entry efficient and intuitive. Each charting device can contain a list of patients and their demographic profiles, the orders for these patients, and the activity fields that need to be completed when orders are performed. Much of this information is automatically downloaded to the charting device, so it doesn't need to be re-entered.

Order and activity fields can be easily configured, so “pick lists” of responses to fields may be defined. This allows the caregiver to simply tap on a pull-down menu and then select the correct response from a pick list of potential options.

Easy Data Viewing
Clinivision MPC Software is designed to look like a medical record with tabs and a chart-like appearance. Caregivers can view multiple clinical observations at once and use scroll bars to see activities over time. A single value can also be observed over time to see how it is changing.

Printing Reports
Caregivers can generate and print reports from the stored charting device data. It’s easy to upload information from the charting device to the Clinivision workstation during a shift, either manually or automatically.

Hardware Flexibility
The charting device is not vendor-specific: you can choose the style or size that fits your facility. We can recommend several devices that many of our customers use today. Factors to consider when evaluating charting devices include:

• Touch screen interface
• Durability
• Security
• Processor speed
• Battery life
• Whether the device will be used in conjunction with carts

Open Architecture
We designed the new charting device application to be open so other applications can coexist on the same charting device. This means patient care, clinical and lab systems applications from other vendors may be used to access information from a number of databases. The new charting application offers support for common network drivers and incorporates an integrated spread spectrum radio, which reduces power draw. In addition, the device supports peer-to-peer connectivity, so that even if the hospital network goes down, the charting devices can still communicate with the server.

Configuration

An important element in making a clinical information system work for your department is the ease in which it can be configured. Puritan Bennett Clinivision MPC Software can be easily customized so users are not locked into software restrictions or predefined standards of care. Users can create and modify database structures as operating needs evolve or regulatory requirements change. In addition, system managers can configure how patient assessments will appear to the caregiver.

Clinivision software also allows custom definition of the system with respect to order processing, clinical information collection, work assignment, reporting, billing and statistical analysis. No programming expertise is required to implement configuration changes. Department staff can implement changes to the system on-site. We offer a training class in configuration that teaches attendees how to make changes to databases virtually "on-the-fly," without having to call outside support and wait for changes. However, our skilled staff and support team are always willing to help when you need it. We know you'll be amazed with how seamlessly we can transition your department onto Clinivision MPC Software.

Open RF Backbone

Puritan Bennett Clinivision MPC Software is designed to work with any IEEE 802.11 compliant radio frequency (RF) network that establishes standards for RF transmission. This means other devices that conform to these standards may be used on the same wireless network, allowing hospitals to take advantage of existing infrastructure. The access points also serve as a wireless LAN bridge, so the system can tap into a facility's Ethernet or Token Ring network. A network terminal, printer or access point can be installed just about anywhere.

RF systems usually force a tough decision between having “dead spots” of no RF coverage or purchasing additional access points or antennas. Because Clinivision software allows the charting devices to work even when not in an RF transmission area, we can help organizations make an effective trade-off between RF coverage and added cost.

Management Reports

The Management Reports function of the Clinivision system uses a third-party, off-the-shelf report writer (Crystal Reports®). This application allows users to choose from an extensive library of reports that yield detailed information essential to assessing the operational and clinical performance of a department. You can generate reports on clinical, management and billing information. Management Reports can be printed on a laser printer, viewed from the workstation monitor, or saved as files for export to other applications or for future reference. Here are some of the many reports you could produce:

To view more detail on reports please see the sample reports.

Monitor Shift

The Clinivision Monitor Shift function helps managers effectively allocate staff resources in the face of variable demand. This management tool lets supervisors or managers view information from each charting device at a central location to ensure that patient information is up to date before assigning work.

Monitor Shift allows users to display the status of all charting devices during current or previous shifts from any workstation. You can see when charting device information is uploaded to the workstation and who last entered the information, view summaries and details of uploaded records, and print workload reports. By knowing what tasks have been performed by whom and what new orders have been entered, shift supervisors or nursing managers can keep track of workloads and make changes in staffing based on real-time information.

Interface to Puritan Bennett® Ventilators

Clinivision MPC Software allows for the download of data from the Puritan Bennett® 840™, 760™, 740™ or 7200® Ventilators directly to the charting device computer. The ventilator data is automatically integrated into the patient chart report, and users can create ventilator flow sheet reports with Crystal Reports®.

Interface to Blood Gas and Other Clinical Devices

Puritan Bennett's Clinivision MPC Software can be configured to import data from blood gas and other clinical devices, allowing users to automate the management of blood gas operations. The software can dramatically enhance the effectiveness of blood gas labs in providing a comprehensive range of information to clinicians in a timely, useful and succinct manner. Results can be stored and managed from the Clinivision system and can be printed to any networked printer or fax machine, to efficiently distribute the information where it's needed.

Clinivision software makes it easier than ever for blood gas labs to meet regulatory requirements. Detailed reports help the lab meet CAP, CLIA and JCAHO regulatory requirements.

Interface Engine

Our interface engine allows the Clinivision system to be quickly and easily interfaced with other Health Care Information Systems (HCIS) and Clinical Data Repositories. Our advanced communications server technology enables us to deliver reliable interfaces quickly. Once in place, it is easy to modifiy the interface. Most interface changes can be made by modifying tables at your site, and we can easily make adjustments to respond to format changes in interfaced systems. Our skilled Clinivision support staff has experience with most major HCIS and interface engine vendors. Here are some of the interface functions they have supported to date:

Interfaces incorporate mapping technology that translates data between Clinivision and other Hospital Information Systems to HL7 fixed-length formats.These interfaces are supported on TCP/IP, Async and file protocols.

Customer Service, Training and Support

Puritan Bennett Clinivision MPC Software comes wrapped with total system support. A team of individuals with many years of installation, technical support and clinical expertise is dedicated to meeting your needs quickly and efficiently. To assist in transitioning to automation with Clinivision MPC Software, our highly trained specialists provide customers with comprehensive training and assistance before, during and after installation.

Installation Coordination
Once you decide to implement Clinivision software, an Installation Coordinator is assigned to help coordinate your installation from day one. The Installation Coordinator draws on all the resources of the Clinical Operation Management System staff, including user education experts who provide training before and during system implementation.

Training
Training is provided both at our Ottawa office as well as at your site. Customized training can also be arranged. Standard training courses available include:

• Configuration – A course that covers configuration and an overview of Clinivision MPC Software.
• Clinivision Essentials – An in-depth program to familiarize users with each module, including system tools for the system trainer.
• Reports Design – A course on how to use Crystal Reports® to design comprehensive Clinivision reports.
• Interface – An introduction to the link with the Hospital Information System being used with your Clinivision system.

Warranty
New Clinivision MPC system installations are backed by a six-month warranty. During the warranty period, Puritan Bennett provides the following services at no extra charge:

• 24-7 telephone support
• On-site service and repairs
• Loaner equipment during off-site repairs
• Software updates and revisions

Additional hardware and software support services can be purchased in order to continue receiving these services after the initial warranty period.

Technical Support
Technical Support Analysts are available to all customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help resolve operational issues. Technical Support professionals are able to access your system via remote diagnostics to quickly resolve any concerns.

All customers' contacts and discussions are logged into a customer tracking system by our Sales, Product Applications, Installation Coordination and Technical Support Departments. This tracking system allows management and others within the company to clearly understand your concerns. Once you are up and running it is predominantly Technical Support who tracks all aspects of your Clinivision system's operation through the call tracking system.

Clinivision User Group
Each year at the annual meeting of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and in the spring, we host Clinivision User meetings with our customers. We encourage active participation at these educational and collaborative forums in which Clinivision system users work together on solutions to common issues. The meetings also give users the opportunity to provide input to Clinivision team members in defining new products that will address business problems.

Customer Communications

Re:source, the newsletter for Clinivision system users, is published three times a year and is a medium for users to share product experience, give feedback or share research and results involving Clinivision. The newsletter features information from the Clinivision team, new product announcements, tips and how-to's, to help you make the most of your experience with Clinivision software.

The company also sponsors a list serve that allows customers to communicate with each other about concerns they have or to seek advice on specific operations in their departments.

The Customer Support web page is tailored to suit the needs of our clients by offering specific information that will help in operating their software, including reports, templates, instructions and product information. The customer support section offers frequently asked questions, downloadable tools and report templates.