New Via Christi monitoring system aimed at reducing patient falls

Via Christi Health said Tuesday it has begun using a system to remotely monitor patients who are confused or at a high risk for falls.

The system, called Telesitters, uses video cameras at the system’s Wichita hospitals, which are monitored by technicians from a central location in Via Christi’s hospitals.

The system also has pre-recorded yes-or-no questions and messages in Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese, enabling technicians to communicate immediately with patients who speak those languages.

“The need for sitters can go up or down dramatically at a moment’s notice,” said Dorothy Bybee, assistant chief nursing officer at Via Christi, in a news release. “Our new system will allow us to respond immediately to the need for an extra pair of eyes on the patient and in doing so improve patient safety and the overall patient experience.”

Via Christi said 15 of the 20 units are at Via Christi Hospital St. Francis, one at Via Christi Hospital St. Teresa, and two each at Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph and Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital.

This story was originally published September 24, 2014 at 10:44 AM with the headline "New Via Christi monitoring system aimed at reducing patient falls."