Area Hospital Expands
Patient Safety Measures
BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital recently strengthened patient safety measures by expanding its use of capnography to monitor patients using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to regulate their pain after surgery.
PCA can provide an effective way to control pain by allowing patients to self-administer small doses of pain medication intravenously, but the technology poses unique risks because the opioid medications used can also suppress the patient’s breathing. The Joint Commission, the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices all recommend that hospitals take special precautions including monitoring patients with capnography and oximetry.
Specifically, capnography measures how effectively patients are breathing by measuring exhaled carbon dioxide and can alert medical caregivers when life-threatening respiratory depression occurs. Capnography provides the earliest indication of evolving respiratory compromise, which can lead to significant morbidity or even cardiopulmonary arrest if undetected. Oximetry monitors the patient’s blood oxygen levels ensuring that the patient is receiving enough oxygen.
Atlantic General Hospital is among the nation’s leaders in the early implementation of capnography monitoring to protect patients using PCA. Long used in operating rooms to monitor patients under general anesthesia, hospitals are now deploying capnography after surgery, as well. Early indication of respiratory depression with capnography enables medical staff to intervene before serious adverse events happen.
“Atlantic General Hospital is committed to providing the highest quality of care. Our widespread use of capnography to monitor a patient’s breathing is in line with the latest recommendations and underscores our dedication to patient safety,” said Scott Rose, director of the intensive care unit (ICU).
The hospital installed the new capnography equipment this spring in conjunction with the rollout of new smart pump technology for all inpatient and observation rooms, which closed the patient safety loop with medication administration. Clinicians must scan their badges, then the patient’s armband, and finally, the IV medication bag before the drug can be dispensed, providing a triple check for medication accuracy.
“We commend Atlantic General Hospital for being part of a growing number of facilities across the country committed to patient safety through the use of capnography,” said Robert J. White, President, Respiratory & Monitoring Solutions, Covidien. “Its decision to monitor patients at risk of respiratory depression with capnography and oximetry ensures patients have a level of protection when using state-of-the-art pain management systems.”
OC Lease Announced
OCEAN CITY — Matthew Trader of Rinnier Development and Lisa Coleman of Long and Foster have recently executed a seven-year lease deal to bring Tutti Frutti to Ocean City Square Shopping Center in Ocean City
on 117th Street and Coastal Highway. Trader represented the tenant and Coleman represented the landlord.
The 1,800-square-foot space was formerly used as Long and Foster offices. Tutti Frutti will offer patrons an outside seating area on Coastal Highway as well as waterfront seating on the back deck by the bay.
“I am so excited to be able to help bring Tutti Frutti to the beach, specifically to this location,” said Trader. “I feel the franchisee has a unique vision for every location and this one will be no different. Their goal is to provide customers with an experience beyond just frozen yogurt. I think people are going to love the fact that they will be able to enjoy their yogurt while sitting by the bay. Tutti Frutti fans are going to be in for a real treat when this location opens, no pun intended.”
Assistant Director Named
SNOW HILL — The Worcester Commissioners have announced that James Hamilton, Jr. has been named the new Worcester County Emergency Services assistant director, following the promotion of Fred Webster to director of Emergency Services.
Hamilton is a highly trained emergency management and public safety professional. His diverse experience and active certifications include emergency management, emergency medical services, fire services, emergency communications and hazardous materials. He has specialized training in emergency public warning, social media for crisis communications, interoperable communications and operations center management.
Prior to joining Worcester County, he worked as the Emergency Preparedness Manager for Cecil County Emergency Services and MJOC Manager for the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.