Unity Health System, a 681-bed health-care network based out of Rochester, New York, has
reportedly selected Send Word Now, a provider of on-demand alerting and response services for both routine and emergency communication, to offer its emergency voice and text communication services to its hospitals.
Send World Now officials said that, in the event of crisis situations, Unity will use the company’s alert and conferencing features to disseminate critical information among staff members quickly.
As an emergency management tool, the notification system will be used to alert selected staff members on the organization's DECON team during a HAZMAT situation, and to respond to any large incident resulting in a surge of patients to Unity's Emergency Center.
The system will also be used as a means to virtually gather the incident assessment team through the use of Send Word Now's on-demand phone bridge feature.
The company officials said that Unity would also utilize the application of Send Word Now's messaging tools in the management of potential crises, such as widespread outbreak of an illness.
In its Send Word Now account, the Health System has created a "pandemic" alert group alongside other groups targeting specific departments.
“This group will be activated if there is significant news about an outbreak at one of our health care facilities,” said Emergency Planning Specialist Jerry Seldes who added that, because many different departments will need to access the system, it is important that training our staff members is an easy process.
Tony Schmitz, President and CEO of Send Word Now said that the company is pleased to add Unity Health System to the growing list of healthcare providers that depend on Send Word Now's quick and reliable notification services to manage emergency situations.
“In light of the recent spread of H1N1 flu, it is especially critical that hospitals have the proper tools to communicate both quickly and effectively in order to protect the health of their patients and staff members,” Schmitz added.
