Successful trial: Matt Darling, who has developed a computerised support system, SmartWard, for hospital staff. Photo: Nick Cubbin
A hospital computer system invented by a Canberra man is helping cut down on paperwork and letting nurses spend more time with patients, with a successful trial of the IT system finding it could potentially save lives and millions of dollars.
Matt Darling’s invention SmartWard has just been successfully trialled in Victoria, with results from a clinical trial released on Monday finding the program tripled the amount of time nurses spent interacting with patients while halving the time spent on documentation.
SmartWard is run on small computers at a patient’s bedside and other points of care, allowing nurses to continually update information in real time. The system uses “smart sensors” to validate medication and track staff and equipment so they be found quickly in emergencies.
Mr Darling, who was born in Canberra and lives in O’Connor, developed the IT system after the death of his daughter in 2008 and his experience and observations of acute care in a hospital ward.