Houston, TX - Independence, Missouri's Centerpoint Medical Center, a Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) facility, has completed the installation of more than 400 Proximity WorkStations. The units which hold IT equipment, medical supplies and facilitate patient care were designed and built by Proximity Systems, a national designer and manufacturer of wall-mounted, retractable workstations. Proximity was selected by HCA as the vendor of choice for its hospitals in the Midwest.

Proximity WorkStations have been deployed in all patient rooms at Centerpoint as well as the Emergency Department, Human Resources Department, lounges and public areas. Proximity WorkStations are credited with: improving efficiency, through saving time and reducing the distances nurses walk; improving record accuracy; maintaining face-to-face communication and assisting with patient education. The WorkStation's design aesthetic has also contributed to the hospital's overall professional look and image.

Improving Efficiency and Safety
"From a patient care; a convenience and a life-of-computer perspective we decided that each patient room should be wired," said Shannan Pfeiffer, Centerpoint's Director of Information Technology and Services. Improving efficiency was the key goal at the 258-bed, level-2 trauma facility, according to Pfeiffer, but the concept also worked with important safety initiatives. Electronic Medical Records (EMR), for example, are used to validate "right patient, right drug, right dose, right time" before medications are administered. By placing the computers in the room this validation can be done quickly and accurately.

Centerpoint's planning team also wanted to maintain the personal interaction between caregiver and patient. The computers needed to be positioned to allow for the best possible face-to-face interaction. The CWT 28 MED SVL, one of two Proximity models selected by Centerpoint, opens and swivels allowing face-to-face interaction with the patient when the nurse is reviewing records or charting care and medication. Physicians, who use records and PACS as a tool in their interactions for better patient education, can position the computer screen- thanks to the Proximity WorkStation-allowing the patient to view the information comfortably during these in-room conferences.

The goal of improving efficiency has also been realized. "We are a new hospital with all private rooms" says Pfeiffer. "The rooms are also larger, so the steps between patients have increased for our nurses." Proximity WorkStations were proven in an independent study to reduce the distance nurses walk by up to 80%. The in-room computers and WorkStations eliminate the need to go back to the Nurse's Station to chart, get information or pick-up certain supplies. "The intent was to improve efficiency" says Pfeiffer. "I think hospital leadership would agree we've achieved that goal."

About Proximity Systems, Inc.
Founded in 1993, Proximity Systems is a privately held, Houston-based company that custom designs and manufactures wall-mounted, retractable workstations that enhance the ability of healthcare professionals to provide quality patient care while improving efficiency and optimizing the use of floor space in healthcare environments. Proximity Systems has built a reputation for dedicated and detailed customer service while working with more than 1,000 leading healthcare facilities across North America. Proximity WorkStations are strategically placed in multiple locations in healthcare facilities and are currently in use in Patient & Exam Rooms, ERs, ORs, ICUs, PACS and other healthcare settings. When not in use, Proximity WorkStations retract, or close, to within inches of the wall, securing equipment, protecting patient privacy and freeing up valuable facility floor space. All Proximity WorkStations feature durable wood construction and curved edges for improved safety, hygiene and longevity.