However, we saw this as an opportunity to address a number of other communications issues. Like many other hospitals, communicating to the medical staff can be a real challenge. They are too busy and inundated by emails, memos, letters, faxes, etc. As we know that nearly all the physicians are using their smartphones, it is the perfect channel to reach them with more targeted messages that they can read on their own terms.

What we liked about Practice Unite is that it could create a customized solution exclusively for our staff that would allow them to text each other securely and give us a new, more effective channel to reach the medical staff. It also allows the physicians to send each other consults and schedule outpatient procedures. We haven't seen anything else like it.

DMN: As a health care facility, why do you believe it's important to get on board with current communication technology?

JS: I think there's a balance between being a pioneer and taking a wait and see approach. We don't have the resources to innovate with technologies that may not work long-term, however, the changes we are facing in health care mean that we can't afford to sit on the sidelines and wait until it's all figured out.

Our CIO and his team have a deliberate approach to evaluating tools that will prepare us for where we think health care is going while delivering real benefits today.

DMN: What are some of the benefits it's bringing?

We have been delighted with Practice Unite. The doctors, especially our ER staff, love that it is now easy to send a quick text about a patient-related issue. For example, discharge and admission planning that would have taken hours for an ER physician to find and discuss with a patient's primary care physician can now be finalized within minutes. Recently an ER trauma case was discharged within minutes of physicians' communicating through Practice Unite. A call had been placed to the primary doctor's answering service, and more than an hour delay occurred prior to the Practice Unite communications.

It's cutting down the time it takes to resolve an issue. The feedback has been very positive.

It's been easier for the staff to find each other. The app makes it simple to search for a physician or other member of staff. They can either text each other securely or phone them through the app. For example our nurses can enter a consult into the EMR and then immediately alert the physician through Practice Unite that they have a patient that needs their attention. It's seamless.

More Industry Headlines