Freeman protocol earns national recognition

JOPLIN, Mo.—Phillips Enterprise Patient Informatics Solutions Users Group (EPIS) honored Freeman Health System with an Industry Impact Award for advancing patient outcomes in the Maternity Center at Freeman Hospital West. The Philips EPIS Impact Award is presented to an organization demonstrating the positive impact of Philips EPIS solutions.

In 2010, Freeman added a checklist to its protocol to administer oxytocin, a drug used to induce labor in pregnant women. Induction of labor has become one of the most commonly performed obstetric procedures in the U.S., with a 13 percent increase between 1990 and 2006. In 2011 alone, Freeman induced labor among 31 percent of its pregnant patients.

Due to the rising number of labor inductions, Freeman set about to provide the best possible patient outcomes within its Maternity Center by utilizing a standardized oxytocin protocol through a documentation system created by Philips. When labor is induced through the use of oxytocin, Freeman nurses follow a standardized checklist updated every 30 minutes to ensure mother and baby are responding well to the drug.

Phillips recognized Freeman for this oxytocin protocol by honoring the health system with an Industry Impact Award. Freeman’s process for implementation of the oxytocin protocol into clinical practice and inclusion in the patient’s electronic record is being used by Phillips as a model for their clinical transformation program. Freeman’s protocol is now being presented to hospitals across the country.

“Strong teamwork, organization, and a focus on our patients lead us to this success,” said Sharon Henderson, Freeman Maternal and Neonatal Services Director. “Our project is a testament to the evidenced-based care present at Freeman and our commitment to providing the best possible patient outcomes.”

Philips is an international company focused on improving healthcare, lifestyle, and lighting through timely innovations.

About Freeman Health System
Based in Joplin, Missouri, Freeman Health System is the area’s only locally owned, not-for-profit health system, serving southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, northeast Oklahoma, and northwest Arkansas. Freeman provides comprehensive healthcare and behavioral health services, including cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurosciences, orthopaedics, and women’s services, with more than 300 physicians representing 60 specialties. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem, or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo.