OREANDA-NEWS.   API Healthcare, a GE Healthcare Company, today announced the launch of its Patient Classification Clinical Information Interface software solution. The new staffing and scheduling software integrates directly with the Electronic Health Record (EHR), enabling staff to better manage and predict workload and skill requirements, helping to improve patient outcomes, increase cost savings and improve employee engagement.

“The Patient Classification Solution is a data-driven system built on validated and peer reviewed methodology,” said Rick Robinson, RN, BSN, BA, BS, Patient Classification Product Manager, API Healthcare, A GE Healthcare Company. “The Clinical Interface continuously integrates and evaluates relevant information from three sources; clinical charting, physician orders and medication administration data, to proactively match the right skill set with the right patient, resulting in real time staffing decisions.”

“API Healthcare has invested years of research and development into revamping the perception of acuity by putting evidence-based medicine into effect with the Patient Classification Solution,” said Karlene Kerfoot, vice president of nursing, API Healthcare, A GE Healthcare Company. “We have a long history of innovation in this space, and today we are pleased to provide the missing link by seamlessly evaluating patient care needs from critical databases such as the EHR, to accurately determine a patient’s acuity level.”

As labor costs continue to rise and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) brings millions of newly insured individuals into the market, hospitals and health systems are focusing on increasing operational efficiencies. With 50 percent of hospitals operating budget tied up in labor costs, workforce optimization has never been more important.

Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System is one of the first clients to go live with the Patient Classification Clinical Information Interface. An original beta tester of the technology, Salinas Valley Memorial is an acute care facility licensed for nearly 270 beds with more than 1,600 employees.

“We are thrilled to be leading the way with this ground-breaking technology from API Healthcare,” said Lilia Meraz-Gottfried, Director Clinical Informatics, Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System. “They have changed the way patient acuity is accessed and managed. The ability to map a comprehensive picture of the patient and translate that into relevant action enables us to better manage elaborate assessments and accurately describe what is being done for patient-specific acuity. We look forward to the solution enabling us to schedule more accurately and efficiently with streamlined data eliminating double entry of patient classification information.”

Real-time data and analytics are a critical component to delivering operational efficiencies across a healthcare system - in patient care, in wait times and in patient and staff satisfaction. API Healthcare’s Patient Classification Clinical Information solution is part of the broader GE Healthcare Services portfolio addressing patient flow, workforce and asset optimization.

“API Healthcare works closely with clients to design and develop workforce solutions that enable them to better manage the operational challenges that can hinder long-term sustainability,” said Lisa LaBau, General Manager, API Healthcare, A GE Healthcare Company. “The methodology behind the development of our Patient Classification Clinical Information Interface has been proven through more than a decade of research and partnerships with clients like Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System. We are pleased to see how well the solution is working for them, and look forward to continuing our pursuit of helping all clients meet their goal of achieving long term, fiscal sustainability and improved patient outcomes.”