Centralized telemetry monitoring: implementation and management

Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee has implemented a newly designed cardiac arrhythmia monitoring system. Management engineers worked closely with nurses and physicians in the design process which led to development and implementation of a centralized telemetry monitoring system. Changes in the work distribution, improvement of the work environment, efficient use of nursing personnel and upgrades of monitoring equipment are several of the objectives addressed by this new centralized monitoring system. The backbone of the centralized telemetry monitoring system is an effective communication system that fully addresses staff needs during emergency situations. This paper presents the communication system features as well as the operational, functional and technical considerations necessary to support a centralized telemetry monitoring system. Some topics covered in detail include communication system selection, staff scheduling, selection, training, and supervision of staff members, ergonomic workstation design parameters and centralized telemetry monitoring system benefits. One benefit observed was that an additional 35 minutes per nurse per shift was made available to provide additional patient care activities.