PINC AI, the technology and services platform of Premier, Inc., announced it is extending its technological capabilities to long-term care (LTC) facilities, providing the same level of clinical surveillance used in the acute setting.
Paper records and low-tech methods of collecting data and coordinating patient care are still widely used in LTC facilities. It has become evident, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, that LTC facilities need robust, clean and actionable data in order to better prevent infections and provide high-quality care to their residents. In fact, due to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19, over one in five COVID-19 deaths occurred in a LTC facility since March 2020.
“Long-term care facilities are a vital aspect of the United States' healthcare system, serving one of the country's fastest-growing and most vulnerable populations,” said Craig Barrett, Senior Product Director at Premier. “We have already successfully implemented our technology in acute care settings, learning a tremendous amount along the way. We are excited to bring this expertise to an area that has historically been left behind when it comes to tech adoption.”
PINC AI clinical surveillance capabilities provide a comprehensive, real-time workflow solution for infection preventionists and clinical pharmacists. The technology can help detect, manage, control and alert to improper treatment of infection-related conditions during COVID-19 and beyond by enabling:
• Automated alerts, including COVID-specific alerts, for patients suspected or confirmed for infections.
• Automated flags on patient records to allow for robust tracking of patients in an outbreak group.
• Comprehensive documentation forms, including a custom set specific to COVID-19 and routine infections such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile (C. diff) and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Electronic submission of infections to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) system.
Infection prevention has never been more crucial in the LTC setting due to the emergence of COVID-19. Regulations have been issued that require routine screening and reporting of COVID-19 cases, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) now requires reporting the data to NHSN.
Most LTC facilities do not have a centralized or dedicated infection prevention team, which, combined with the additional reporting requirements, increases the need for electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical surveillance technology to provide the data required to help prevent and control infection in at-risk populations.
“PINC AI is dedicated to enhancing the well-being and quality of life of the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Robin Carver, Vice President of Member Engagement at Premier. “As a certified infection preventionist, I’m excited to work with long-term care facilities to help them leverage the power of data to improve patient care.”
PINC AI clinical surveillance technology designed for LTC is scheduled to be available beginning in October of 2022.
