Electronic Intensive Care Unit
Will Enhance Critical Care at PBMC

A state-of-the-art long-distance monitoring system at Penobscot Bay Medical Center will give the medical and nursing staffs access to a team of intensive care doctors and nurses 24 hours a day through the MaineHealth VitalNetwork in Portland, a division of MaineHealth.

The "e-ICU," which stands for electronic intensive care unit, uses advanced voice, data and video technology, along with early warning software, to enable clinicians at the bedside to co-manage patients at PBMC with the same intensive care team that manages patients at Maine Medical Center. It is scheduled to begin operating in the middle of June.

The e-ICU program doesn't replace the patient's physician. Instead, it provides another set of eyes to monitor patients and track vital signs, test results and conditions to help busy ICU staff, including those that lack around-the-clock coverage by intensivists, as critical care physicians are sometimes called.

"MaineHealth VitalNetwork provides appropriate back-up for other patients when critical care staff are attending to a particular patient that needs a little more attention," said Susan Goran, RN, MSN, Operations Director, MaineHealth VitalNetwork.

"This affiliation will enhance our ability to locally deliver high quality intensive care," said Dr. Dana Goldsmith, Vice President, Medical Affairs, at PBMC. "Research shows that this system saves lives."

MaineHealth VitalNetwork is staffed by three administrators, 18 part-time critical care nurses, nine nursing secretaries, and 27 part-time critical care physicians or intensivists whose specialty is caring for very ill patients.

The e-ICU program will be the beneficiary of this year's "Shall We Dance" gala, which will take place on Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday, May 3, from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Owls Head Transportation Museum. A hot and cold buffet will be served from 5 to 6 p.m., and hors d'oeuvres will be served the rest of the evening. A cash bar serving wine and mixed drinks will be available – including mint juleps.

Featuring live music by the Tony Boffa Band, professional dance performances by Christian and Kathryn Clayton, a dance contest, a hat parade, raffle items and live auction, the gala promises to be an evening filled with fine food, good friends and great dancing. Derby attire is encouraged, but not required.

Tickets are $75 per person and are available in advance. Call 207-594-6799 or visit penbayhealthcare.org/shallwedance. Tables of 10 may be reserved. Tickets will also be sold at the door. For more information, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please call 207-594-6799.

MaineHealth is a family of leading, high-quality providers and other healthcare organizations dedicated to ensuring their communities are among the healthiest in America. Ranked among the nation's top 40 integrated healthcare delivery networks, MaineHealth's member organizations include Maine Medical Center, Miles Memorial Hospital, St. Andrews Hospital, Stephens Memorial Hospital, Spring Harbor Hospital, HomeHealth Visiting Nurses, NorDx, Synernet, and Maine Physician Hospital O rganization. Affiliates of MaineHealth include MaineGeneral Medical Center, Mid Coast Hospital, Southern Maine Medical Center, St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, and Penobscot Bay Medical Center.