Most health care facilities’ technology infrastructures include voice and data networks on which such applications as nurse call, telemetry, security and fire panels, telephone service and email run. What’s missing is the ability to tie these disparate alarm and communication systems together so they can work in concert, not in silos. Without integration, synergies can’t be created for better workflow, which directly impacts patient outcomes and satisfaction.
The good news is that it’s possible to integrate hospital alarm and communication systems. Then current networks and technology investments can be used to harness triggering events that drive awareness transactions – and not just those that signal emergencies but any event that impacts the patient experience.
For example, The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati integrated multiple nurse call systems and automated emergency code broadcasting, which had been a manual process for the PBX operator. From a patient safety standpoint, faster notifications to the appropriate people translate to faster response times to a code blue or other emergency. Faster response equals greater survival rates with lower business costs, according to the hospital’s clinical systems analyst.
An integrated approach to situational awareness improves patient care and saves time and money. And it takes your health care facility from being reactionary to strategic in regard to patient safety, workflow and more.
We’ll be talking about technology integration across the care continuum on June 12. We’re hosting a webinar with ADVANCE and hope you’ll join us. You can register here.
