Published: March 05, 2007 11:36 pm            

OLBH gets wireless nurse call system

Russell — Nursing response time at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital will be significantly improved with the hospital’s installation of the region’s first wireless nurse call system from Vocera Communications.

With Vocera, OLBH staff can communicate with one another more quickly, making their jobs more efficient while better serving the needs of patients. Studies conducted by the Center for Health Information and Decision Systems examined the technology in 539 unique events and found the system improved nursing response time by 51 percent.

“The duties of a nurse are many and require countless steps throughout the course of a day,” said Jennifer Moore, OLBH chief nursing officer. “If this system saves each nurse a few steps multiplied by two shifts for hundreds of staff, then the overall response time of our excellent nursing team becomes significantly improved. This technology is of great benefit both to patients and our team of health care providers.”

Vocera Communications has created a wireless communication system to enhance customer service, productivity and teamwork throughout the OLBH organization by enabling instant voice communication among mobile workers.

“Technology systems such as our new, wireless Vocera system do more than just speed response time,” said Michael Gomez, OLBH director of Information systems Services. “By providing information immediately, Vocera increases the effectiveness of patient care.”

The first phase of the system’s installation has been an investment of $350,000 by OLBH.

        

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