FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—February 20, 2007

MidState Medical Center has discovered a new way to improve patient and staff safety through the use of an innovative voice technology system.

Efficient and timely communication is frequently a challenge in health care environments, and has been for our clinical teams at MidState Medical Center. Finding a co-worker within the department, contacting other health care team members or physicians, communicating critical patient information, or the status of a task can take precious time and multiple steps. Traditional communication vehicles (telephone, paging, and overhead announcements) have become inefficient and slow. With this in mind, our clinical team went to work three years ago to find a communication system that would not only eliminate wasted steps, but would improve the quality and safety of patient care. With the help of Information Services and Facilities and after two successful trials with TPC Systems, MidState Medical Center has chosen to implement Vocera, a wireless hands-free device, to help improve communication flow across our facility.

Vocera is a simple, lightweight, wearable device that uses voice recognition and WiFi technology to communicate to other users, departments and outside offices. It will help to improve communication by instantly connecting our employees with the people they need to reach by eliminating the steps in between. With one touch of a button and various voice commands, staff members are instantly connected with one another. This can increase patient safety by allowing nurses to get additional assistance for a patient in need or crisis without leaving the patient’s bedside to search for help. Also, when a nurse needs to speak with a physician about a patient’s condition, the physician will return the page by phone. The device can reduce nursing staff injuries because staff can call for assistance rather than trying to help a patient without proper support.

In quarterly patient satisfaction surveys (conducted by an independent, national research company), MidState consistently rates among the top hospitals in Connecticut and the nation. Conveniently located just minutes off Rte. 691 in Meriden, CT, MidState offers free and safe parking, as well as private inpatient rooms. Services include general surgery, emergency medicine, MidState Medical Group Walk-in Center for urgent care needs, and state-of-the-art care in centers dedicated to Cancer Care, Wound and Hyperbaric Care, Family Birthing, Sleep Care, Digestive Health, Pain Management, and Cardiac Care.

For information, call 203 694 8200, or visit www.midstatemedical.org.

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