Medical Technology
Silicon Valley is the world technology capital - and its public hospital should reflect that. Read on to learn how VMC is using the latest advances in medical technology and information systems to cut costs and improve patient care.
Rehab Technology Program
The Rehab Technology Program at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center focuses on providing rehabilitation patients with access to the best and most appropriate technology in order to increase their independence and enhance overall quality of life. Patients use the hospital’s wireless network and loaner laptop computers to stay connected with friends and family outside of the hospital via e-mail, videoconferencing through the Virtual Visit program, as well as to research community resources, durable medical equipment, home and vehicle modification options, and alternate housing resources. Patients participate in a Technology Skills Group to hone skills that increase autonomy after leaving the hospital.
Heart-Lung Machine
In order to provide the best cardiac care to patients, VMC and Stanford Hospital formed a partnership in 2006 to create the Stanford/VMC Cardiothoracic Surgery Program. All on-site cardiac surgeries are now done by Stanford doctors, using the latest surgical techniques. As this new program was created, several gaps were identified – none greater than the need for a new Heart-Lung Machine. This equipment is frequently deployed during a variety of heart surgeries, working as a kind of pump to maintain blood and oxygen flow through the patient while the heart is stopped. Though this procedure is well established, it carries an inherent risk – risk that is magnified by the 15 year-old machine VMC currently uses. Heart disease continues to be a leading cause of the death in the United States. Fortunately, improved technologies like the Heart-Lung Machine can save lives, but only with your help.
Medical Administration Checking
Hospitals encounter some patient risks with the administration of prescription drugs. The wrong dosage can have severe health impacts. But thanks to a multi-million dollar grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to implement Medication Administration Checking (MAK) technology throughout VMC, those risks are diminishing. MAK utilizes barcodes and bedside scanners to ensure that a patient is getting the right drug in the right dose at the right time - every time. Each patient will be outfitted with a barcode on their armband. Before a drug is administered, their armband will be scanned by a nurse, along with barcodes on the drugs themselves. The software runs all the checks, ensuring that the drug regimen follows doctor and pharmacy orders. MAK is one of many technology driven initiatives designed to improve patient care.
Electronic Health Records
Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System is working to launch an Electronic Health Record platform as part of our digital healthcare delivery system. Electronic Health Records enable medical staff from different locations to instantly access a patient's health information, which can help them determine the best treatment. This ambitious project positions the Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System to become the Health Information Exchange for our entire county, impacting thousands of families each year.
To donate to one of our Medical Technology programs, please click here. |
