UMass Memorial opens digital hub to centralize patient care, boost efficiency
MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES — UMass Memorial Health has launched a cutting-edge 20,000-square-foot digital hub aimed at revolutionizing patient care.
Opened in September 2024, the facility integrates remote patient monitoring, patient transfer coordination, and in-home care management under one roof.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance collaboration and improve healthcare delivery across inpatient, outpatient, and home settings.
eICU enhances critical care monitoring
In an interview with Becker’s Hospital Review, Dr. Eric Alper, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Informatics Officer at UMass Memorial Health, described the digital hub as a centralized space where “clinical caregivers and digital medicine tools come together to deliver improved patient care.”
A standout feature of the digital hub is its electronic Intensive Care Unit (eICU), which provides 24/7 remote monitoring for critical care patients. The eICU allows physicians to oversee patients across multiple hospitals using advanced video communication and electronic health records (EHR) access. This system is especially active during nighttime hours when on-site staffing is reduced.
“Our eICU ensures that nurses can immediately connect with a physician during emergencies,” said Dr. Alper. “This capability enhances patient safety and care quality.”
Advanced remote patient monitoring
The hub also houses remote patient monitoring systems designed for high-risk inpatients. This technology enables continuous virtual observation of patients prone to confusion or self-harm without requiring constant in-room supervision.
“In the past, we had to have someone sit with them one-on-one 24/7 or check in every 15 minutes, which was suboptimal,” Dr. Alper explained. “Now, our teams can monitor these patients in real-time. If a patient is attempting to get out of bed, we can immediately intervene via [a] microphone, alerting them and, if needed, getting a nurse on the line.”
Streamlining patient transfers
UMass Memorial’s Transfer and Access Center has been integrated into the hub to improve patient flow between facilities and departments. Co-located with the eICU team, this center facilitates seamless coordination for critical care transfers.
“Having these teams sit right next to each other has significantly improved efficiency and communication,” Dr. Alper noted.
Expanding home-based care services
The digital hub also supports UMass Memorial’s hospital-at-home program, which enables patients to receive acute care remotely while being monitored by healthcare professionals. This approach reduces hospital congestion while maintaining high-quality care standards.
“If we can deliver care more effectively to patients at home, we can keep them out of the emergency department and hospital, which helps alleviate strain on our overwhelmed facilities,” said Dr. Alper.
A vision for future innovation
UMass Memorial’s digital hub represents a significant step toward modernizing healthcare delivery through technology. By consolidating services into a single location, the health system aims to foster innovation, improve efficiency, and enhance patient outcomes.
“We’re creating a more effective and collaborative model for delivering digital healthcare,” Dr. Alper concluded.
With its focus on integrating digital tools into every aspect of care, UMass Memorial is setting a new standard for healthcare innovation in Central Massachusetts and beyond.
