Nellcor OxiNet III Remote Respiratory Monitoring Improves Patient Safety

Covidien, a leading global provider of healthcare products and recognized innovator in patient monitoring and respiratory care devices, has installed its largest capnography connected to a centralized remote monitoring system at the Medical Center of Central Georgia (MCCG).

MCCG’s new 7,583-square-foot Logistics Hub now incorporates a leading-edge solution that provides connectivity to Nellcor™ N-85 pulse oximeters with capnography. This allows MCCG’s clinicians to continuously monitor patients’ ventilation and oxygen saturation levels, through EtCO₂ and SpO₂, even when the clinician is not at the bedside. Remote monitoring of a patient’s respiratory status helps clinicians to identify changes in ventilation and oxygenation sooner and respond faster to adverse events.

The OxiNet III remote monitoring system and Nellcor N-85 monitors with Oridion^® Microstream^® capnography address the recommendations put forth by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices and The Joint Commission calling for continuous monitoring of ventilation of hospitalized patients receiving opioids postoperatively.  Capnography, which monitors adequacy of ventilation through EtCo₂, provides an early indication of hypoventilation or respiratory depression and helps clinicians to detect and address these health threats sooner.

“We ensure that our highly-skilled clinicians have the most advanced technologies available to care for each of our patients,” said Judy Paul, Chief Nursing Officer at MCCG. “Upon careful review of the OxiNet III remote monitoring system, we felt the technology’s capability to address post-operative respiratory distress is one more tool for us in our ongoing commitment to patient safety and recovery.”

The OxiNet III remote respiratory monitoring solution provides customizable systems that effectively monitor any floor in a facility. Relaying data from the bedside to a central station like MCCG’s Logistics Hub creates a remote respiratory monitoring system. If a patient’s EtCO₂ or SpO₂ levels dips below the accepted level, clinicians are alerted via visible and audible alarms at the central station.

About Covidien
Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies. With 2011 revenue of $11.6 billion, Covidien has 43,000 employees worldwide in more than 65 countries, and its products are sold in more than 140 countries. www.covidien.com