Governor Wolf’s administration and State Representative Chris Quinn instrumental in securing funds for ‘Virtual Buddy’ patient-safety system

Media, PA — Riddle Hospital has been awarded a $250,000 state grant toward a “Virtual Buddy” monitoring system that will be installed in patient rooms throughout the facility, enhancing patient safety and care efficiency.

This grant will allow Riddle Hospital to equip 118 patient rooms within the existing hospital, mirroring the state-of-the-art system being installed in the 76 rooms of the new 230,000-square-foot Patient Pavilion, which is scheduled to open in summer 2023. Installation for both parts of the hospital is scheduled for completion by spring of that year.

State Representative Chris Quinn (168th Legislative District, Delaware County) was instrumental in securing the grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Wolf administration and Representative Quinn for their legislative support,” said Shelly Buck, president, Riddle Hospital. “Patient safety is always a top priority at Main Line Health and Riddle Hospital. This system will allow staff to monitor multiple patients and then direct immediate hands-on care to those in need.”

Said Quinn: “This grant will save lives. I want to thank the Department of Human Services and Governor Tom Wolf for giving me a fair hearing and recognizing that the new Virtual Buddy system will advantage patient care and safety.”

The Virtual Buddy system will allow for continuous observation of high-risk patients, particularly those at risk of falling, suffering from dementia, or undergoing or recovering from intense treatment that leaves them vulnerable. The system includes video security cameras and high-quality audio devices so staff can clearly see and verbally communicate with patients in their rooms.

The system will benefit not only patients but allow the hospital to maximize staffing resources. Currently, patient monitoring requires a staff member to sit with an at-risk patient one-on-one for the duration of their hospitalization.

Riddle Hospital, a member of Main Line Health, is a not-for-profit, acute-care hospital with 186 inpatient beds. Riddle has been nationally recognized by The Joint Commission, the Society of Chest Pain Centers and other health care rating organizations for its high-quality patient care. U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals 2022–2023 rated Riddle Hospital as High Performing in six commonly occurring conditions and medical procedures: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, hip replacement, kidney failure, knee replacement and stroke. The hospital offers a full range of services, including women’s health, orthopaedic, maternity, heart, cancer and stroke care; emergency medicine; primary care services and outpatient services including imaging, sleep, wound healing, audiology, and more—aided by a dedicated team of health care professionals and advanced technology. The recent renovation of The Birthplace included the upgrade and modernization of private patient rooms and common areas, and redesigning of the core of the unit, in order to improve workflow to better serve mothers and babies. A new Patient Pavilion, slated for completion in 2024, includes a new operating suite, acuity-adaptable medical/surgical units, maternity/labor and delivery rooms, level II NICU and a new welcoming lobby. Health Center 4, a LEED-Certified Gold building, houses the Rothman Institute, the Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Center, a variety of outpatient programs and a state-of-the-art surgical center. The hospital has also achieved Magnet® designation, the nation’s highest distinction for excellence in nursing care.