Erlanger Health System will spend nearly $4.5 million this year to continue to install new General Electric patient monitors.
Erlanger trustees tonight agreed to fund another phase of a $15 million program to update the computers, software and monitors in each of the patient rooms of Chattanooga’s biggest hospital. The new devices are quicker, more mobile and capable of more easily recording patient vital signs.
The equipment is replacing the previous generation of monitors bought in 1993 and 1994.
“Speed, efficiency and care of patients really are expanded with this equipment,” said Spears McAllester, Erlanger’s director of clinical engineering.
The new patient monitors – the biggest equipment purchase by Erlanger this year – is being phased in over three years to limit the capital expense for the hospital in any single year. The devices will be installed in 87 intensive care hospital rooms at Erlanger’s main campus and at Erlanger East.