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Physician PORTAL
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Competitive Edge
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Commercials and Testimonials
September 17, 2012
To improve its communication process with a goal of enhancing patient care and satisfaction, Kewanee Hospital has become one of the first hospitals in the area to install the Vocera Communications System. Using this system, staff members will be able to immediately speak with the individuals or healthcare resources they need to provide timely patient care.
Patient care providers throughout Kewanee Hospital are now using Vocera badges, hands-free devices that can be clipped to a shirt pocket or worn on a lanyard, allowing staff members to speak to one another instantly over a wireless network. The devices also allow staff members access to remote resources on traditional phones and mobile devices.
The system has been implemented in clinical departments including Emergency Department, Med-Surg-Peds Unit, Surgery, Cardiopulmonary, Radiology and Lab. Technological upgrades such as the addition of the Vocera system have assisted in maintaining the Most Wired Small & Rural Hospital status, for which Kewanee Hospital has been recognized for two consecutive years.
“Hospital staff members can instantly connect with one another simply by pressing a button on the badges they’re wearing,” stated Chris Downs, Director of Lab at Kewanee Hospital. “They can use the system to call someone by stating their name, title, or function, and they are instantly connected.” As the clinical staff are learning the Vocera process, they are continually coming up with new uses for the device to help improve communication and ultimately improve patient care.Staff have already realized a time savings by using the device and not having to wait on the telephone.
Hospital staff members recently attended on-site training courses with Vocera representatives prior to going live with the system in early September.
“This new system will not only improve communication for our staff, but also enhance patient care at Kewanee Hospital,” stated Jennifer Junis, Kewanee Hospital Chief Nursing Officer. “Vocera significantly reduces the amount of time our staff spends trying to call or page and get a response. It also reduces disruptions to patients caused by overhead paging.”
