The new electronic tool is called Zynx. It’s a computer program that helps improve quality of care and control costs. Zynx does this by developing clinical guidelines for treating patients with multiple medical conditions. It’s an important tool for University of Iowa Health Care specialists who deal with the most complex cases in the region:

"As health care becomes more complex, we needed tools to help us do the planning of our patient care activities in key areas – including pain management and patient safety – both topics being very important in today’s health care environment," says Michael Kienzle, M.D., UI Health Care Chief Technology Officer.

Zynx draws from a wide variety of sources, pinpointing the best ways to treat patients from start to finish. It has applications in just about every area of health care:

"I think everyone can see a way in which they can use this tool to improve the planning and process of care. We look forward to having our students use Zynx as well in the course of their studies and in their interactions with patients," says Kienzle.

Zynx content is updated four times a year and is consistent with national and international medical standards.

Other academic medical centers have reduced hospital stays and increased overall patient health after implementing the Zynx system.