One Tennessee-based IV contractor has demonstrated that through the use of effective database software it is possible to cut down on bloodstream infections tied to the improper insertion or management of vascular access devices – better known as IVs.
Lee Medical, which provides vascular access services to healthcare providers around the country, used FileMaker Go for iPad software to develop a program called VAST. This software allows nurses and hospital staffers the ability to chart and track catheter information in real-time via the popular mobile device.
As such, custom application development has empowered Lee Medical to cut down on instances of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI), the harmful disease that often occurs when IVs are not inserted or managed correctly.
"By running FileMaker Go for iPad, we have been able to achieve a dramatic breakthrough and the end result is a much needed value proposition for healthcare: improved quality at reduced costs," Michele Lee, president of Lee Medical, said in a press release.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a significant portion of the nearly 250,000 bloodstream infections that occur in the U.S. each year are a result of CLABSI. As Lee Medical has demonstrated, database software may be able to assist other healthcare providers around the country limit IV-related infections.
By implementing secure database software, medical facilities may be able to deploy a system that gives nurses the ability to better check and track the proficiency of IV insertion. This software could also be custom-designed to institute other critical patient reviews and oversight, which may help reduce other potentially harmful medical errors.
However, healthcare providers in the market for custom application development are best served by turning to a certified FileMaker developer. These professionals may be more qualified to assist with the creation of a tailored application based on FileMaker software.