Author - Becca Klap

Task Light for Charting at Night in Hospitals

Support Patient Sleep: Minimize Sleep Disruptions in Hospitals

Hospitals are designed to heal, but for patients, one of the most important factors in their recovery is sleep. However, disruptions during night rounds, including waking up patients at night or other noises, can hinder this crucial rest. It’s not news that hospitals around the world are changing their vital sign monitoring schedules, prescribing medications with longer distribution intervals, and implementing environmental changes to support sleep. In this blog, we’ll summarize how certain products can help support patient sleep during night charting and rounds.

Lightweight & Discreet Carts

Night rounds involve healthcare workers charting on patients’ conditions, which can be extremely disruptive if the equipment is bulky or noisy. Lightweight and discreet mobile carts are essential in minimizing disturbances and upsetting patients. Our selection of computer carts, mobile labor & delivery carts, and medical carts are all designed to be quiet & easy to maneuver, allowing staff to move through patient rooms with minimal noise. Their ergonomic design & thoughtful wheel choices make them ideal for night rounds, helping to support patient sleep while still providing staff with the tools they need.

Dimmed Lighting on Carts & Wall Mounts

Bright lights can be harsh and disruptive when it’s time for patients to sleep, but dimmed lighting on computer carts ensures a softer ambiance. While each of our powered carts, wall mounts, & fetal monitor carts feature optional task lights for the worksurface, the Howard HiCare E Carts feature the widest range of lighting. With dimmable lights in both white & red for the worksurface, keyboard, AND storage, automatically built into your cart, your chances of disturbing the patient’s sleep decrease significantly. By controlling the light intensity, staff can perform charting tasks at night while preserving the peaceful environment needed to support patient sleep. This simple feature makes a significant difference in minimizing sleep disruptions in hospitals, especially during late-night checks.

Workstation on Wheels Storage Light

Soft Close Drawers on Mobile Carts

One of the most common, yet often overlooked, sources of disruption is the noise created by drawers opening and closing. Soft-close drawers on mobile carts are a game-changer in minimizing these disturbances. Designed with quiet mechanisms, our entire labor & delivery product line features soft close drawers, ensuring that patients remain undisturbed during night rounds. From baby bassinets to bedside cabinets, this quiet feature plays a crucial role in creating a restful environment, allowing patients to sleep through night charting and monitoring without the abrupt noise from traditional drawers.

Delivery Cart, Fetal Monitor Cart, and Bassinet

Medical Equipment & Healthcare Solutions by Convergint– Innovative Medical

Incorporating these thoughtful features—lightweight carts, dimmed lighting, and soft-close drawers—into hospital settings can make a significant difference in supporting patient sleep. By minimizing sleep disruptions during night rounds, healthcare providers can enhance patient recovery and overall hospital experience.

Connect with Convergint at (800) 968-3135 to learn more about our attention to detail & mobile carts tailored to supporting patient rest.

Health Information Systems on Laptop

What is a Health Information System? Understanding its Role in Modern Healthcare

The importance of efficient and effective management of health information cannot be overstated. A Health Information System (HIS) is at the core of this management, integrating various processes and technologies to facilitate all patient care and streamline operations in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

This article explores what a Health Information System is, its components, benefits, and its critical role in hospitals.

Defining Health Information System

A Health Information System is a comprehensive framework that collects, stores, manages, and transmits health data. This data can include patient records, treatment histories, medication lists, laboratory results, and more. HIS encompasses a variety of information technologies and tools that support the various aspects of healthcare delivery, enabling healthcare providers to make informed decisions, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the efficiency of healthcare services.

Key Components of a Health Information System

Health Information Systems comprise several key components that work together to facilitate the collection and management of health data:

  1. Electronic Health Records (EHRs): EHRs are digital versions of patients' paper charts, providing a comprehensive view of a patient's health history. They allow healthcare providers to access and update patient information in real-time, improving communication, accuracy, and coordination of care. Read about the best practices for EHR documentation.
  2. Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS): CDSS provides healthcare professionals with knowledge and patient-specific information, intelligently filtered and presented at appropriate times, to enhance patient care. This can include alerts about potential drug interactions, reminders for preventive care, and guidelines for treatment.
  3. Health Information Exchange (HIE): HIE enables the secure sharing of health information across different healthcare organizations. This facilitates coordinated care, reduces duplication of tests and procedures, and improves the continuity of care for patients.
  4. Practice Management Systems (PMS): PMS helps healthcare facilities manage their daily operations, including scheduling, billing, and patient registration. These systems streamline administrative tasks, allowing healthcare providers to focus more on patient care.
  5. Telemedicine Solutions: With the rise of telehealth, many HIS now include telemedicine capabilities, allowing healthcare providers to consult with patients remotely. This is especially important in increasing access to care and improving patient convenience.
  6. Mobile Health Applications: Mobile health apps allow patients to access their health information, schedule appointments, and communicate with their healthcare providers directly from their smartphones. These apps enhance patient engagement, convenience, and empowerment.

How does Convergint support HIS?

Convergint- Innovative Medical has supported the integration of EHR and other health information systems with Computer Mounting Systems for decades. Not only do we supply tried and true computer carts & wall mounted solutions compatible with HIS, but we find unique solutions to align clinician workflow with EHR / EMR input. Examples include medication label printer & barcode scanner mounts, locking medication doors with detailed data tracking, RFID badge entry, and fleet management software with IT helpdesk integrations.

2 EMR Computer Carts

Benefits of Health Information Systems in Hospitals

Implementing a Health Information System in hospitals can lead to a multitude of benefits, enhancing patient care as well as operational efficiency:

  1. Improved Patient Care: By providing healthcare providers with immediate access to comprehensive patient information, HIS enables more accurate diagnoses, better treatment plans, and improved patient outcomes. The ability to track patient histories and monitor ongoing treatments enhances the overall quality of care.
  2. Enhanced Data Management: HIS allows for efficient data collection and management, reducing the risk of errors associated with manual data entry and paper records. This leads to more reliable health information and helps ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
  3. Increased Efficiency: Automating administrative tasks such as billing, scheduling, and patient registration frees up staff time, allowing them to focus more on patient care. This increases overall hospital efficiency and reduces operational costs.
  4. Facilitated Communication: HIS enhances communication between healthcare providers by allowing them to share patient information seamlessly. This ensures that all members of the care team are on the same page, leading to better-coordinated care.
  5. Data Analytics and Reporting: Health Information Systems enable hospitals to analyze health data to identify trends, improve patient outcomes, and inform strategic decision-making. This can lead to enhanced quality improvement initiatives and better resource allocation.
  6. Patient Engagement: With the integration of patient portals and mobile applications, HIS empowers patients to take an active role in their healthcare. Patients can access their medical records, schedule appointments, and communicate with their providers, leading to increased satisfaction and adherence to treatment plans.
EHR Mobile Application

The Role of Health Information Systems in Hospital Operations

In a hospital setting, the Health Information System plays a crucial role in various operational aspects:

  1. Clinical Operations: HIS supports clinical workflows by providing tools for documentation, order management, and patient tracking. This helps streamline processes such as admissions, discharges, and transfers, improving patient flow and reducing wait times.
  2. Financial Management: By integrating billing and coding processes, HIS helps hospitals manage their financial operations more effectively. Accurate coding and billing are essential for maximizing reimbursement and ensuring the financial sustainability of the organization.
  3. Regulatory Compliance: Healthcare organizations must comply with numerous regulations, such as HIPAA and Meaningful Use. HIS helps hospitals maintain compliance by ensuring that patient data is secure and that reporting requirements are met.
  4. Quality Improvement Initiatives: With access to real-time data, hospitals can monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement quality improvement initiatives. This can lead to better patient outcomes and a reduction in healthcare disparities.
  5. Research and Public Health Reporting: Health Information Systems can facilitate research by providing valuable data for clinical studies and public health reporting. Hospitals can contribute to broader public health efforts by sharing anonymized data with public health agencies.
The Role of Health Information Systems

Challenges and Considerations

While Health Information Systems offer numerous benefits, their implementation and use also come with challenges:

  1. Cost of Implementation: The initial investment in technology, training, and ongoing maintenance can be significant. Hospitals must carefully evaluate their budget and resources when implementing an HIS.
  2. Data Security and Privacy: Protecting patient information is paramount in healthcare. Hospitals must ensure that their HIS has robust security measures to prevent data breaches and comply with privacy regulations.
  3. User Adoption: Successful implementation of an HIS depends on user adoption. Healthcare providers and staff must be adequately trained and motivated to use the system effectively.
  4. Interoperability: The ability of different systems to communicate and share information is critical for seamless care. Hospitals should prioritize systems that adhere to interoperability standards to enhance data exchange.
  5. Continuous Improvement: As technology evolves, hospitals must be prepared to adapt and upgrade their HIS. Continuous evaluation and improvement are necessary to keep pace with changing healthcare needs and advancements in technology.

Medical Equipment & Healthcare Solutions by Convergint- Innovative Medical

A Health Information System is an integral component of modern healthcare, particularly in hospitals. By efficiently managing patient information, enhancing communication, and streamlining operations, HIS plays a pivotal role in improving patient care and operational efficiency.

Convergint- Innovative Medical’s extensive experience includes providing reliable computer carts and wall-mounted systems that seamlessly integrate with Health Information Systems (HIS). Beyond offering these proven solutions, we excel in developing unique approaches to optimize clinician workflows, ensuring efficient and effective input into EHR and EMR systems.

Connect with Convergint at (800) 968-3135 to learn more about our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our customers through attention to detail & unparalleled customer service.

EMR Cart Fleet Management Dashboard

The Role of Fleet Management in Healthcare

Fleet management for mobile Electronic Medical Record (EMR) computer carts plays a crucial role in the healthcare field by ensuring that these essential tools are always available and well-maintained. Leveraging a designated fleet management software can quickly turn the game around, improving operational efficiency through real-time data and remote management; reducing costs through improved asset utilization and boosted productivity; and increasing the time spent on quality patient care. This article explores these roles and benefits in detail.

Optimized Asset Utilization

Effective fleet management begins with assessing whether the number of carts in a unit or facility meets current clinical demands. When your hospital system has fleet management software, cart fleet utilization reports makes this easy. Utilization reports & power analytics identify opportunities to redeploy carts to locations with greater needs, reducing the need to purchase more. These easy-to-read dashboards can be exported for review and distribution across service and support teams in just a few clicks.

Cost control is another critical aspect, as maintaining a fleet of mobile EMR workstations can be costly. Fleet management helps control these expenses by optimizing the use of each unit, scheduling preventive maintenance to prolong your cart investment, and reducing time spent on administrative and technical tasks. For example, Baptist Health System conducted a pilot study to monitor the usage of their mobile workstations. By analyzing real-time data, they optimized the deployment of their workstations, reducing the number of underutilized units and lowering operational costs. This data-driven approach ensured efficient resource use, enhancing overall operational efficiency.

IT Ticket Management

Managing a fleet of mobile EMR workstations involves regular maintenance, reducing downtime, and troubleshooting. When clinicians and cart users can enter service requests directly into the cart interface and send to the IT Helpdesk, cart maintenance becomes easier. With real-time locating systems pinpointing what and where the problem lays, this mode of fleet management minimizes downtime, translating to more time for patient care and less time dealing with technical issues.

Fleet management software also promotes a shift from reactive to preventive maintenance. By leveraging historical data, real-time monitoring, and proactive alerts, healthcare facilities can identify potential issues before they impact workstation performance. This approach not only extends the lifespan of the equipment but also ensures uninterrupted availability, a frequent issue that halts productivity and interrupts patient care.

EMR Cart RTLS Fleet Management Dashboard

Remote Fleet & User Management

Remote management capabilities of fleet management software allow healthcare facilities to update user IDs, PIN codes, user permissions, monitor cart access, and name units and floors to locate displaced carts easily using wireless access points. In addition, monitoring fleet status, connectivity, utilization levels, battery performance, and more from a centralized location ensures that mobile EMR workstations are always available and in optimal working condition.

Altus Remote Fleet Management

Fleet Management at Convergint- Innovative Medical

Fleet management for mobile EMR carts is required in healthcare, and having a software directly integrated into each cart with remote management has a multitude of benefits. Providing a structured approach to asset utilization, IT ticket management, and remote fleet management optimizes operational efficiency, reduces costs, improves clinician & IT productivity, and ultimately enhances patient care. The integration of real-time data and proactive maintenance ensures that resources are used efficiently, supporting the delivery of high-quality healthcare services.

Contact Convergint-Innovative Medical today to explore our workstations with Fleet Management software and how they’ll improve your organization’s efficiency.

Nurse Clinician Safety EMR Workstation Ergonomics

Nurse & Clinician Safety: EMR Workstation Ergonomics

Preventing back injuries and muscle strain for nurses & clinicians is necessary to ensure the proper care of patients. With clinician burnout on the rise, extra steps to ensure their health and safety need to become a priority. So before deciding on the workstations they’ll use all day every day, ensure you’re making an informed decision to protect your healthcare workers.

As a value-added reseller of medical carts, computer carts, and patient care furniture who’s worked firsthand with the forefront of care for over 30 years, here’s a little bit of what we’ve learned:

5 Key Ergonomic Features for Computer Carts in Healthcare

1.)  Sit to Stand Height Adjustments

Opt for a workstation that has electronic sit-to-stand height adjustment & independent monitor height adjustment.

Manual height adjustments can be straining on staff when carts are filled with heavy supplies and technology, and the push of a button makes adjustability quicker and safer. Additionally, independent monitor height adjustment ensures the exact degree of comfort each medical staff needs to focus on their patients.

Because we recognize the importance of comfort, every workstation at Convergint- Innovative Medical includes sit-to-stand height adjustments, even our wall mounted workstations.

Nurse Clinician Safety EMR Workstations

2.)  Storage Efficiency

Stop wasting time digging for supplies with customizable trays, storage solutions, & electronic medication drawer tracking.

Customizable trays and drawer sizes allow for organized storage of supplies, and electronic medication drawer tracking enhances security and accuracy. Efficient storage solutions ensure that all necessary tools and medications are easily accessible, improving workflow and patient care.

With a wide range of storage solutions and bin sizes, all of our workstation drawers include customizable tray inserts for clinicians to minimize their time searching for what they need. Inquire about our patient bin tracking that minimizes mistakes in medication delivery.

Storage Workstations EMR Carts

3.)  Ergonomic Typing Surfaces

Go for carts with negative tilt keyboard trays and left/right mousing surfaces.

A 0 to -15 negative tilt keyboard tray helps maintain a neutral wrist position, reducing strain over repeated use. A mouse tray that slides out from the left or right side provides flexibility and comfort, allowing healthcare professionals to work efficiently without compromising ergonomics.

Ask us about negative tilt keyboard trays to see our most ergonomic workstations on the market.

EMR Workstation Ergonomics Medical Carts

4.)  Handle Orientation & Cushion

Proper handle orientation & cushioning reduces wrist strain from pushing and pulling by decreasing uncomfortable repetitive movements.

Ergonomically designed handles help prevent fatigue and injuries that ensure that staff can move carts comfortably and safely throughout their shifts.

From medical carts to powered and non-powered computer carts, we notice the importance of a handlebar on mobile workstations. View our selection of Workstations on Wheels to see our attention to detail.

Ergonomic Medical Carts WOWs

5.)  Maneuverability & Caster Types

Choose computer carts with 4-5” dual wheel casters that require less push force.

The right caster size for your floors and cart weight reduce the push power needed, making it easier for staff to maneuver carts from room to room. Efficient maneuverability is crucial in a fast-paced healthcare environment, ensuring that medical staff can quickly and safely transport supplies and equipment.

Convergint- Innovative Medical will automatically select the best caster choice for your mobile workstation based on years of working with users first-hand.

EMR Ergonomic Workstations Convergint

EMR Ergonomics at Convergint-Innovative Medical

Prioritizing ergonomic designs in mobile workstations is essential for the health and efficiency of medical staff. By investing in workstations with sit-to-stand height adjustments, storage efficiency, ergonomic typing surfaces, proper handles, and appropriate caster types, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce the risk of injuries from repeated use and improve overall workflow.

With so many factors to consider in your EMR Workstation on Wheels selection, contact Convergint-Innovative Medical today to learn more about how we can help you create a safer, more efficient work environment for your medical staff.

Connect with our team at (800) 968-3135 or message us here to learn more about our excellent service and solutions.