Southwest Philadelphia, PA (June 30, 2010): Mercy Philadelphia Hospital is the first hospital in the Philadelphia region to utilize SmartWand-DTX – a sponge detection system which prevents retention of surgical sponges. Mercy Philadelphia has implemented DTX in its operating room as an innovative approach to improving patient safety.
“This state-of-the-art technology provides an additional level of safety for our patients undergoing surgery,” stated Kathryn Conallen, Chief Executive Officer, Mercy Philadelphia Hospital. “We are now able to locate sponges quickly which provides for reduced operating time, reduced exposure to anesthesia, and reduced risk of infection for our patients.”
SmartWand-DTX was developed by ClearCount Medical Solutions, an innovator of patient safety solutions for the operating room. The system features tiny RFID chips sewn into each sponge which provides them with a unique identification that is easily counted and detected by a reusable wand. SmartWand-DTX is the only sponge detection system capable of verifying sponge counts.
“The SmartWand-DTX is a great choice for hospitals not only because of its capabilities but also because it is built on a platform that can grow to include a range of other applications for improving patient safety,” said David Palmer, Chief Executive Officer of ClearCount. “Mercy Philadelphia Hospital shows great foresight and leadership in its choice and we’re excited to be working with the Mercy team.”
One in every 1,000 to 1,500 intra-abdominal surgeries results in a sponge left behind in the patient, which can lead to hospital inefficiencies, unnecessary costs, serious infections and even death. Hospital infections add an estimated $30.5 billion to the nation’s hospital costs each year.
-more-ClearCount also offers its SmartSponge System®, for count reconciliation and detection of surgical sponges, which directly accounts for sponges in and out of surgical procedures. In the case of a non-reconciliation, an integrated SmartWandTM is available to detect and locate missing sponges. The SmartSponge System has received multiple awards including Popular Science’s Best of What’s New in 2009.
About ClearCount Medical Solutions
ClearCount Medical Solutions is a medical device company focused on patient safety solutions. ClearCount has assembled an extendable RFID-based platform that provides a comprehensive solution to improve efficiency while preventing medical errors. ClearCount Medical Solutions has been recognized with a Popular Science 2009 Best of What’s New Award, and has received additional recognition from TIME and WIRED magazines, the 2009 Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award, the International Design Excellence Award (IDEA) and more. ClearCount’s SmartSponge and SmartWand-DTX systems are the only RFID enabled systems for counting and detecting surgical sponges, thereby improving patient and OR safety, enhancing productivity, and reducing cost. Both systems are exclusively distributed by Medline Industries, Inc. To learn more, visit www.clearcount.com.
About Mercy Philadelphia Hospital
Mercy Philadelphia Hospital, a 214-bed community teaching hospital, has established a healthcare tradition that spans more than 90 years. Offering quality, compassionate acute care services in West and Southwest Philadelphia, Mercy Philadelphia Hospital ensures its community has access to healthcare services, education and prevention programs. The expanded Emergency Care Center offers state-of-the art treatment rooms with on-site radiology services staffed by board certified Emergency Room physicians. A separate Emergency Services Area, the Crisis Response Center, provides mental wellness services 24 hours a day. Mercy Philadelphia Hospital is recognized by the American Stroke Association as a silver award winner. The Vascular Center offers high-quality imaging and interventional procedures and the Iris V. Henderson Cancer Center offers the latest therapy available in cancer treatment. The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine offers advanced solutions for problem wounds with improved healing rates and preventable limb loss. Mercy Philadelphia Hospital is a member of Mercy Health System of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
A diverse, integrated system providing comprehensive health care services, Mercy Health System is comprised of four acute care hospitals, a home healthcare organization, several wellness centers, physician practices, a federal PACE program, and co-owner of managed care plans, Keystone Mercy Health Plan and Gateway Health Plan. With 120 primary care and specialty physicians, Mercy Health System is a teaching community health system affiliated with Drexel University School and Medicine and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). The largest Catholic healthcare system serving the Delaware Valley, Mercy Health System is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and Hope Ministries; and is a member of Catholic Health East, a multi-institutional, Catholic health system co-sponsored by 13 religious congregations. The vision of Mercy Health System is to be a leading provider of compassionate care and community access to quality health services that improve the health of individuals and communities. To learn more about Mercy Health System, visit www.mercyhealth.org.
