CHICAGO – Technology that helps keep more eyes and minds on patients in the intensive care unit has meant that critical care patients in seven Chicago-based hospitals have avoided complications that lead to extended hospital stays.

Data from more than 12,000 patients treated from 2006-2008 at 13 Resurrection Health ICUs, show substantial reductions in complications, mortality and length of stay, hospital executives say.

Resurrection’s eICU system, developed by Philips VISICU, links ICU patients and their bedside care teams across Chicago to a remote, central command center staffed by Resurrection intensive care specialists and critical care nurses.

“Twenty-four/seven intensivist-led care has become a necessity, not a luxury, and this system has proven to be an excellent way to address the growing critical care crisis resulting from aging baby boomers and the shortage of critical care doctors and nurses,” said Pat Shehorn, executive vice president and CEO at Resurrection’s Westlake and West Suburban hospitals. “We have seen a reduction in our net costs using this program which we believe demonstrates improved access to intensive care specialists and represents a win-win for patients and hospitals. Our implementation of this system supports the nation’s goals of reduced costs and better outcomes using information technology.”