Terre Haute Regional Hospital Boosts Patient Safety with Expanded Use of Capnography

TERRE HAUTE, Ind., June 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Terre Haute Regional Hospital recently expanded its use of capnography for respiratory monitoring outside the operating room, joining a growing group of healthcare leaders in embracing state-of-the-art patient safety technology.

Capnographs measure the amount of carbon dioxide exhaled by patients, thereby allowing patient care providers to rapidly detect changes in patient condition, and take immediate corrective action. Long used in operating rooms to monitor patients under general anesthesia, hospitals committed to patient safety are now deploying capnography to monitor the quality of patients' breathing in other care areas where respiratory depression may occur. Among the latest clinical applications for capnography are for monitoring patients receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for pain control after surgery. PCA pumps have proven effective in controlling pain and allowing patients to be discharged from the hospital more quickly, but the technology poses unique risks for patients because the pumps inject opioids which can cause respiratory depression. If undetected, respiratory depression can lead to significant injury or even death.  By measuring the amount of exhaled carbon dioxide, capnography provides the earliest and most accurate indication of respiratory compromise, thus significantly reducing patient risk.

The Joint Commission, the nation's leading hospital accreditation organization; the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) have all recommended monitoring exhaled carbon dioxide with capnography to detect respiratory depression.

Terre Haute Regional Hospital is among the nation's leaders in the early implementation of capnography monitoring outside of the operating room.

"Terre Haute Regional Medical is committed to providing the highest quality of care. Our widespread use of capnography to monitor the adequacy of ventilation of patients outside the operating room is in line with the latest recommendations and underscores our dedication to patient safety," said Leah Cygan, RRT, MHA, Director of Respiratory Care at THRH.

Terre Haute Regional Hospital chose capnography equipment from Covidien, a leading global provider of healthcare products and recognized innovator in patient monitoring and respiratory care devices.

"We commend Terre Haute Regional Hospital for joining hospitals across the nation committed to patient safety through the use of capnography," said Robert J. White, President, Respiratory & Monitoring Solutions, Covidien. "And we appreciate its choice of Covidien's capnography technology as an excellent choice for monitoring patients."

About Terre Haute Regional Hospital
Located at 3901 South 7^th St. in Terre Haute, Terre Haute Regional Hospital is a 278-bed community-based hospital. Regional Hospital is an organization dedicated to its Mission, Values and Vision and is committed to providing quality, individualized patient care to the communities we serve. Today, the hospital offers the latest expertise and technology in areas including emergency services, cardiology, outpatient imaging, and surgery.  Fully accredited by The Joint Commission, Terre Haute Regional Hospital looks forward to continuing to serve its friends and neighbors and growing with the community. For more information about Terre Haute Regional Hospital and the services they offer, please call (812)232-0021 or visit RegionalHospital.com

SOURCE Terre Haute Regional Hospital