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MidState Medical Center is now Wi-Fi enabled, something hospital officials have wanted for some time. It means patients and visitors can now gain access to the Internet, a nice amenity. But it also means a lot more than that.

With its wireless network, MidState has leapfrogged into a new era of communication, taking advantage of technology that has a science fiction flavor but an extremely practical application. Hospital hallways can be noisy places, with cell phones, walkie-talkies, beepers, blackberries and more all clicking and beeping with gusto and people trying to make themselves heard. The new system promises to reduce the cacophony level, and enable nursing and support staff to communicate more freely and effectively.

This is done via a little device called Vocera, which clips on or hangs from the neck, and at a push of the button connects the user to a voiceactivated wireless network. It should quickly prove invaluable in the effort to treat patients more efficiently.

Though this self-contained network is particularly well suited to the hospital environment, there’s no reason a small community hospital should be among the first to explore its possibilities. But, as has become abundantly clear, MidState is far from a typical small community hospital.

This new high-tech foray is just the most recent example of MidState’s willingness to stretch, not recklessly but certainly at times daringly, when the possibility of improving patient care or employee satisfaction, or both, is high. The hospital is proud of its scores in employee and patient satisfaction, largely because they’re the reward for a concerted effort and philosophy.

It’s tempting to chalk it up to the building on Lewis Avenue, which even after a decade still gets called the "new" hospital, and there’s certainly no disadvantage to a fresh, clean facility. But what’s truly made MidState a source of pride for the community is not the building but the people, particularly the hospital’s inspired leadership under the direction of Lucille A. Janatka, the chief executive.

This does not mean MidState is immune to the challenges facing other hospital! s across Connecticut, including a graying population and underfunded Medicaid reimbursements. And the hospital faces a very serious situation with its overwhelmed emergency department. But these challenges certainly appear less threatening when a hospital shows its willingness to take bold new steps.