Rush University Medical System is suing Draeger Medical claiming that after spending 4 years and $18 million installing a patient monitoring system from the company, the system doesn’t work, according to a Cook County Record report.
The medical center filed a complaint on Aug. 18, according to the report, with Rush accusing Draeger of breach of contract, unjust enrichment and fraud over issues with the Infinity Acute Monitoring Solution it installed.
The system is intended to monitor breathing, vital signs and physical conditions of patients in healthcare environments – in this case, patients in the 664-bed Rush University Medical Center.
Rush University had sought out proposals for the system in 2010, according to the report, and engaged with Draeger between spring of 2010 and June 2011.
The University initially chose the system due to its ability to be integrated into existing network architecture. The Draeger Infinity system operates around 4 main components, including bedside monitors, larger data aggregation monitors, battery-powered portable monitors and patient worn monitors.
The 2 parties inked a deal in June, 2011, with Draeger beginning installation in January 2012. Work continued on a rolling basis through January 2016, according to the paper, but the technology was having noticeable issues.
Rush University said the system “was marked by inaccurate and unreliable alarming, erratic shifts in alarm settings and sudden erasures of patient log data,” according to the Cook County Record. The patient monitoring system also reportedly failed to deliver on promises of wired-to-wireless monitoring, which is required during patient transport, and in monitoring for desaturation of neo-natal patient’s blood, the University reported.
The issues caused Rush, and its employees, to “waste thousands of hours of time” to fix, according to the report. The University reportedly paid an additional $30 million for a new system to replace Draeger’s, having only spent 5 years with the system.
Rush University is seeking $18 million, the amount the institute spent on the system, as well as punitive damage and legal fees in the case.
