Suzi Birz, principal, HiQ Analytics, LLC
“Doing more with less” can be defined as finding multiple uses for a single technology and capitalizing on the interactions of systems at hand. For Phelps Memorial Hospital Center in Sleepy Hollow, New York, this challenge was met by designing multiple uses for in-room television sets, combining access to each patient’s medical record with the entertainment system and education system.
The Vigo Interactive Patient Communication System helps hospitals build quality of care and patient satisfaction by providing two-way flow of clinical and educational flow of information to the point of care.
“Many factors came together at one time,” explained Kerry Pisano, vice president of support services at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center. “We wanted to replace the patient televisions, our patients wanted access to the internet and we wanted to start using an electronic medical record.”
“We went live about one year ago,” added Pisano, noting that the integrated system has been well received by staff and patients alike. “We continue to receive letters from satisfied patients.”
The Vigo Interactive Patient Communication SystemTM from Allen Technologies, Inc., in Austin, Texas, is composed of a suite of applications that are being used by hospitals in their quality of care, patient safety and patient satisfaction initiatives. “Vigo transforms a hospital television by bringing the clinical applications to the point of care in addition to patient education and patient entertainment,” said Gary Cowsert, president and chief executive officer of Allen Technologies.
Vigo can communicate directly to the patient with pop-up alerts. “For instance, if a patient education video has been ordered, a pop-up will appear on the patient’s televisions,” said Cowsert. “The patient may elect to watch the video at that time or be reminded about it again later.”
At Phelps Memorial, Vigo is being used to bring clinical charting to the bedside. “We want the clinician at the bedside to be able to enter information into the medical record as it is being collected,” said Pisano.
“A keyboard, mouse and barcode scanner were added to each television and nurses, physicians, therapists and technicians can now access information and enter data at the point of care,” explained Janet Goldberg, Phelps Memorial’s associate vice president for nursing and behavioral health.
“The Vigo OneTouch supports several optional peripherals: wired, fluid-proof keyboard; user identification card reader; bar code reader; internet-protocol telephone; camera; and internet access,” said Cowsert.
“A nursing committee was formed to assist with the changes necessary to convert to bedside charting,” said Goldberg. “We switched from paper to an electronic medical record and an electronic medication administration record, and we continue to make changes as we learn more about the system and processes.”
“The system is a patient satisfier for many reasons,” stated Pisano. “Internet access, television stations and first-run movies; plus, the clinicians can remain at the bedside because patient information and clinical systems are available right there, and this enhances communication between the clinician and the patient.”
The benefits extend to other service areas, as well. “Orders entered into the system are now available instantaneously,” added Goldberg.
Nurse satisfaction continues to increase, but Goldberg reported that there is one more major hurdle to overcome. The current system does not have single sign-on, which requires clinicians to access the device and select the patient each time they enter a room.
“The system will improve as we implement features to enable clinicians to have faster access to the applications,” said Goldberg. “This year, we will pilot single-sign-on access to the documentation application.”
“The system addresses many challenges, including space, keeping the hallways clear, and having the computer in close proximity to support the initiatives for patient charting and medication administration,” noted Pisano.
Goldberg summarized, “Technology will increase patient safety and increase staff and patient satisfaction if you embrace it.”
Read more about Phelps Memorial Hospital Center and the Vigo system by Allen Technologies, Inc.
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