'Star Trek' communicators free up doctors' time
Summary
Topics
The network, which is supplied by Vocera and is accessed by a pendant-like device, has been installed at the Royal Victoria Hospital Emergency Department in December 2007.
The department's doctors, nurses, ward clerks, bed managers and medical secretaries all use the devices to contact other staff by stating their name or function. As a result, medical professionals at the hospital are spending less time trying to find a phone line or leaving the premises to call up their peers.
In a study of the roll out conducted by Kinetic Consulting, 40 per cent of doctors and 60 per cent of nurses reported fewer interruptions while providing care for patients.
In a statement, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said: "This study has allowed us to evaluate where we need to develop our communications. The advantage for us is having a system in place to continue the progression and patients are seeing better service as a result. Through the use of technology our staff can do their jobs more efficiently."
Talkback Most Recent of 8 Talkback(s)
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Smart
and simple, both factors that contribute to success.
mford6621530th Jul 2008 -
RE: 'Star Trek' communicators free up doctors' time
Relying on 802.11(b/g) for life and death conversations has significant risks due to the non-regulated RF spectrum it uses and significant interference threats from things as trivial as wireless headsets.
AutoXr30th Jul 2008 -
Did I miss Something?
I didn't see anywhere in that article that said it was using 802.11b/g wireless. Maybe it is a different frequency other than 2.4Ghz that will less likely interfere with other common wireless devices. NOt every wireless device uses 8.02.11 a/b/g/n wireless. Some have their own frequency or a much less common frequency to minimize interference.
bobiroc30th Jul 2008 -
Its WiFi, Vocera only do WiFi
Vocera only make devices for 802.11 g/b WiFi and it is running on a Trapeze backbone. It won a load of awards last year and the year before. They have done some really cool things with it as well, I have seen the installation.
alistair_GB30th Jul 2008 -
I stand corrected
I just didn't want to assume that it used 802.11b/g but I guess I could have done a little googling before I posted a comment. If properly implemented a 802.11 b/g or n network can operate very well with minimal interference. Also hospitals are pretty strict on bringing in outside electronics (at least they are in my experience) and should have minimal trouble I would think. All in all I think this is good for them.bobiroc30th Jul 2008 -
RE: 'Star Trek' communicators free up doctors' time
I use Vocera at the hospital I work at. On paper it looks
like the greatest thing ever! But when you start using it
you quickly realize that it has many problems. For one
thing it has very poor reception, in most places in the
hospital it didn't work including the elevators where I
found myself many times missing a call. Also the voice
recognition is horrible! Many times I would have to repeat
myself three to four times and sometimes still not work. I
was not impressed with the product and many times I
would find myself still using a phone anyway. If they
improved the technology this would really be a great time
saver.
whansen9030th Jul 2008 -
I use this and it's great!
It saves me lots of time whenever I want to tell Geordi to run a level 3 diagnostic on the phase inverter coils.
doodlius4th Aug 2008 -
RE: 'Star Trek' communicators free up doctors' time
I also use vocera at my hospital. Using it comes down to good education on how to use it right.
It is able to learn your speech pattern.
It can also be used as a walkie talkie that will connect you directly to your group.
I think it is great to use.
Beam me up!!
joed19554th Aug 2008
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