In modern healthcare facilities it is crucial for almost every task to be carried out as quickly and reliably as possible, in order to ensure patients are receiving the best care possible. More and more hospitals are realizing this fact and identifying operational areas where outside solutions can be easily implemented with significant benefits for the affected workflow. Although the focus of this process tends to be on electronic health records (EHRs), there are of course a wealth of other workflows that can be similarly optimized.
For example: Stillwater Medical Center, a regional healthcare facility in north-central Oklahoma, recently integrated the Vocera Communication System with its existing computerized physician order entry (CPOE) system and nurse call system. Vocera Communications is a mobile healthcare company specializing in the supply and installation of cutting-edge communications solutions.
With the hospital’s old system, a physician would write an order and hand it to his or her secretary, who would then input the information into an electronic health record (EHR) before transmitting it to a printer somewhere else in the facility. This inefficient setup requires the recipient to constantly check the printer for documents, and other issues such as system failures and power outages inevitably lead to further delays.
“Stillwater Medical Center is a strong example of how innovative communication technology improves operational efficiencies and reduces errors, ultimately improving patient experience and outcomes,” said Brent Lang, President and CEO of Vocera. “Because of this integration, staff no longer need to chase down orders, and can spend their valuable time delivering more direct care at the patient bedside.”
The Vocera Communication System allows staff to wear a Vocera Badge — a hands-free voice-controlled wearable device — or other device supported by the company that can receive orders directly from the CPOE, bypassing the printer entirely. Furthermore, Vocera Badge-wearers on care teams can receive patient requests directly through the nurse call system. The resulting streamlined workflow will allow Stillwater to operate more efficiently and therefore better serve its patients.
“Communication is critical in care team coordination,” commented Liz Michael, Vice President of patient care services and Chief Nursing Officer at Stillwater Medical Center. “With the integration of Vocera and our EHR, the right information is delivered instantly to the right person, ensuring the right treatment is delivered at the right time.”
Edited by
Dominick Sorrentino
