Methodist Mansfield unveils latest hospital technology
The Methodist Health System pulled out all the stops in creating Methodist Mansfield Medical Center.
“Thoughtful planning and care make Methodist Mansfield a truly patient-centered medical facility,” said Laura Irvine, president of the new hospital. “Not only will patients find excellent staff and physicians, but also the latest technology and a sense of comfort.”
The $134-million, 80-bed hospital opened Dec. 27 with the latest medical and communication technologies to ensure more accurate patient monitoring, and increased safety and comfort for patients and their families.
Electronic medical records, computerized bedside medication verification and digital X-rays are a few of the technological advances designed to help doctors and staff monitor their patients.
The five-story hospital has advanced emergency and surgical facilities; a cardiac catheterization laboratory; a womenÂ’s pavilion with special-care nursery, labor and delivery areas, and postpartum facilities; an intensive care unit; inpatient dialysis facilities; advanced diagnostics and radiology; and 80 private rooms.
“As of Jan. 1, 2007, Methodist Mansfield has 150 physicians and 29 specialties,” said Lynette Wilkinson, a spokeswoman for Methodist Health System. “This number includes hospital-based physicians such as anesthesiologists, emergency medicine doctors, radiologists, neonatologists and pathologists.”
Wilkinson pointed out that “electronic medical records provide nurses and physicians with complete, real-time access to all patients’ medical files from anywhere in the hospital. The electronic charting system includes a portable computer workstation that nurses roll to each patient’s bedside. The workstation uses wireless technology to communicate with a main computer housing all the medical information.”
Methodist Mansfield incorporates “smart” IV (intravenous) pumps loaded with computer software to keep tabs on correct drug dosage and drip rates, according to Wilkinson.
“The smart pumps boast the highest level of safety standards on the market. At the bedside, this database prevents programming errors from occurring at the time of IV drug administration.”
The hospitalÂ’s new bedside medication verification system also includes patient barcoded wristbands, containing data to ensure the right medication is administered at the right time and in the right dosage.
Data communication within the hospital is structured to be consistent and effective, noted Wilkinson.
“A single wireless antennae infrastructure is installed inside the walls,” she said. “The cable-like antenna, hidden behind drywall and support structures, provides both phone and data services. Systems installed retroactively in existing facilities often have dead spots in coverage, but signals at Methodist Mansfield will beam throughout the facility, providing clear wireless communication.”
The system can also be used to communicate with wireless pumps and monitors, Wilkinson added.
Patient rooms have a family/visitor “zone”—an area separated from the patient’s bed and the activities of medical staff—that contains a couch, chair and computer workstation with Internet access.
Another feature of patient rooms is a flat-screen television with hundreds of channels, including movie channels, and on-demand patient education, said Wilkinson. Two remote handsets, one for the patient and one for visitors, come with the entertainment center.
“Each handset includes an independently operated speaker and volume control that lets visitors watch late-night movies or educational programs without disturbing the patient.”
Methodist Mansfield is designed to add 72 more rooms, almost doubling the size of the hospital, as patient population in the Mansfield area grows, according to hospital officials. Irvine said the hospital expects to admit about 4,000 patients and treat 15,000 emergencies during the first nine months.
Methodist Mansfield joins six other hospitals and clinics managed by Methodist Health System in the Metroplex.
“We are thrilled to add another medical center to the Methodist Health System family and look forward to spreading our vision and mission in this dynamic and thriving community,” said Irvine.
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