Patient care innovation being developed at Auburn
Healthcare providers across the country are overworked and burnout is setting in. An innovative idea is being developed at Auburn University in hopes of pushing the medical technology industry forward and lightening the load for nurses and patient care teams at inpatient facilities.
Dr. Haneen Ali, an assistant professor in both health services administration and industrial and systems engineering, has published multiple articles about her work that could replace the call light systems employed by healthcare institutions across the country.
The innovative idea discussed on the latest episode “about PATIENT CARE” of the “Things You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know Podcast” proposes to replace the current call light system with smart technology used by millions of Americans every day. The goal of the system is to create quality improvement in healthcare, a concern top of mind for health services administration professionals.
“In the literature, the call light system is called the patient’s lifeline,” explained Ali. “However, it was found that call lights are associated with many ergonomic issues and usability challenges.”
The system Ali has developed and continues to test solves many of these issues by employing touchless technology.
"I was attending a conference and was staying in a hotel room where Alexa was employed,” recalled Ali. “So, whenever the guest needs a towel he says ‘Alexa I need a towel.’ And five minutes later someone shows up with a towel.”
The following week, Ali returned to her team at Auburn and began working on a similar concept to replace the outdated call light systems used in healthcare.
The team has since developed a nurse call system that, using standard smart devices and an impressive algorithm, produced the following results in simulated environments:
- Produced a 40% reduction in call time from patient bedrooms
- Produced a 55% reduction in call time from patient bathrooms
- Improved bed exit alarms by 29% from directly communicating needs
Tags: Research Faculty Political Science
Related Articles
-
CLA congratulates newly tenured and promoted faculty
The College of Liberal Arts congratulates 25 faculty on their tenure and promotion this year. -
Alley publishes new book on wastewater management in India
The book includes detailed case studies describing how residents, workers and scientists interact with technology, science and engineering during the processes of treatment and reuse of wastewater in India. -
Chiafele's book receives 2022 Italian Prose in Translation Award
The collaborative translation of Penelope is the first time author Silvana La Spina has been brought to the Anglophone world. -
Auburn alumnus named executive director of Alabama Writers’ Forum
Richard Kent Evans '11 has been appointed executive director of the Alabama Writers’ Forum. -
Shari Williams, CLA trailblazer who made history while also studying history
Shari L. Williams earned her PhD in history in 2020 and is the first African-American female at Auburn University to do so. -
Auburn University historian provides Alabama’s first state oral health report
Schulz’s one-of-a-kind report will inform state health agencies, dental schools and policymakers on ensuring every Alabamian has access to oral health care.