SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Nov 15, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –– Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), the nation's fifth largest health system, announced today it will implement AirStrip OB(TM) across its three–state hospital system. The technology will provide CHW–affiliated physicians with remote access to up to four hours of patient monitoring data, including fetal heartbeats, maternal contraction patterns, and vital signs.

"Giving our physicians the ability to view this data remotely, in near real–time, is an important component of ensuring the safety of moms and their newborns," said Robert Wiebe, MD, CHW's Chief Medical Officer. "We are pleased to be able to provide this advanced technology to physicians and patients across our system."

AirStrip OB collects data from fetal monitors, as well as the hospital's labor and delivery documentation system, and transmits information in near real–time to the physician's mobile handheld device. Doctors can receive this confidential patient data securely on a wide range of mobile devices including the iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry and Android. The technology is FDA cleared and compliant with all HIPAA patient confidentiality requirements.

The technology means that doctors can be at the bedside virtually, even when they can't be present for every hour of labor. Traditionally, nurses read bedside monitors, call a doctor and verbally describe what they are seeing. With AirStrip OB, doctors can remotely monitor their patients and see up to four hours of data.

Of CHW's 40 hospitals, 32 have birthing centers and will be implementing the technology. The total value of the three–year contract is $4.3 million. Two California hospitals, Mercy Medical Center in Redding and Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, were first in their regions to make this technology available to their patients and served as pilot sites for CHW.

"CHW is improving the safety of new moms and their newborns by giving physicians the ability to view data critical to quality care anywhere, anytime," said John D. Hoff, MD, obstetrics/gynecology. "This technology enables doctors to identify and troubleshoot problems early and communicate immediately with nurses and other caregivers, when necessary. This advancement will result in faster, more comprehensive care, while giving patients and care providers greater peace of mind."