Governor Praises MetroWest Medical Center; New Patient Monitoring System [VIDEO]

About a month ago, in Framingham took a chance on an Israeli-based technology to help save lives.

MetroWest Medical Center CEO Andrei Soran, yesterday told a crowded room, which included Governor Deval Patrick, that in the brief time the new patient monitor system by EarlySense has been used, it has saved lives and significantly helped improve the care of patients.

The medical center purchased 30 units from EarlySense, which opened its American headquarters in Waltham this month. The company's decision to locate to Massachusetts was based on the governor's trade mission to Israel in March.

EarlySense CEO Avner Halperin gave the governor a demonstration of the new sensor technology during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the medical center on Tuesday afternoon.

The EarlySense patient monitoring system assists hospital staff in identifying early indications of deterioration for proactive intervention. The system also hopes to reduce ICU stays and improve patient outcomes.

EarlySense expects to hire 10 employees in Massachusetts before the end of the year and plans to hire an additional 10-20 employees annually thereafter, Halperin said.

“Patient safety technologies like those developed by EarlySense can improve patient care, while contributing to cost control in our health care system, two important priorities for our administration,” said Patrick. “We are delighted that Massachusetts will not only benefit from the advanced patient monitoring technology developed by EarlySense, but also that the company has chosen to open its U.S. headquarters in Waltham. Massachusetts is a great place for international life sciences companies to locate and do business, and we look forward to a continued partnership with Israel and the many innovative companies that exist there.”

“Following Governor Patrick’s visit to Israel, we are delighted to set our U.S. roots in Waltham, Massachusetts and to contribute to the promising future of the State by helping to increase the quality of patient care and to create new jobs. Massachusetts is home to some of the finest medical institutions, with which we are proud to have very close cooperation, including our host today, MetroWest Medical Center, which has a strong commitment to patient safety and healthcare" said Halperin.

“Massachusetts is leading the nation in developing initiatives that seek to balance health care access, cost and quality,” said Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the agency charged with implementing the state’s 10-year, $1 billion Life Sciences initiative.

“Massachusetts is already seen as a leader in biotechnology and life sciences and this collaboration solidifies our reputation as a gateway for health care technology and investment,” said State Sen. Karen Spilka, who represents Framingham. “Over the past few years, the MetroWest region has proven to be a growing hub for life sciences activity and investment and I think it’s fitting that the initial installation of the EarlySense system is at the MetroWest Medical Center. This will not only be an opportunity for tremendous economic growth and job creation, but though our partnership with Earlysense, we will be actively contributing to the improvement of health care, the safety of our patients and the overall quality of life of many residents across the Commonwealth.”

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Soran and Windham-Bannister joined experts in the field in a symposium discussing advances in patient care.