challenge section

Hi Pat,

I think the problem or challenge that the E-ICU addresses is the lack of availability of intensivists to provide 24 hour coverage for ICU patients. by monitoring many beds, at different sites with one ICU team--the need for intensivists is lessened, and all the patients have intensivist care around the clock. This is increasingly important, and has become a standard required by safety monitoring groups such as Leapfrog. Another problem it addresses is improved quality of life for the docs who won't be taking overnight call because they have E-ICU monitoring the patients. also hopes to improve early detection of problems like pneumonia by computerized algorithms which detect sublte changes in vital signs which might otherwise be missed. By preventing problems or intervening early--it hopes to shorten ICU time for patients--saving money and improving outcomes. I think you might be focusing more on the problems or challenges of the E-ICU system itself--I thought we were meant to define the healthcare problem that the system addresses.