IBM Bolsters Communications in Healthcare

IBM (News - Alert), a company that provides IT solutions for enterprises of all sizes, reportedly has announced that its new set of mobile communication services for healthcare organizations is helping to enhance efficiency and quality-of-service.

 

Through the IBM Enterprise Mobility Services for healthcare providers, clinicians and nursing staff get wireless communications and real-time access to patient records anywhere at the facility.

 

They can stay in continuous contact, deploying mobility solutions that provide critical information and communications on-demand at the patient bedside, in examination rooms or in emergency treatment centers. That also helps the medical staff develop and deliver patient assessments, and make more informed care decisions based on collaborative treatment plans.

 

The hospitals invest in wireless communications to turn into digital “hospitals of the future,” starting with enhanced communication networks that improve clinician speed and accuracy in decision-making.

 

IBM Global Technology Services has been working with various wireless technology providers in the industry, including Aeroscout, Cisco (News - Alert), Ekahau, GlobeStar Systems, Motorola, Polycom, Vocera Communications to provide the healthcare organizations with an integrated solution, so that clients can benefit from the integration of next-generation mobile, wireless and real time location technologies addressing their business objectives.

 

IBM has deployed a state-of-the-art mobile communications network in the Emergency Department and Complex Continuing Care Department of Toronto East General Hospital, a large urban, full-service community hospital in Ontario, which comprises of a robust and secure wireless network infrastructure that has been engineered to support voice, facilitates integration with various systems and is able to support future demands.

 

IBM designed the solution by integrating different components of the Cisco wireless network, such as wireless communication devices from Vocera (News - Alert), and real-time event driven notification software from GlobeStar Systems. After the project is completed, approximately 800 critical care staff members will be using the hospital’s innovative wireless communicators.

 

Laurence Guihard-Joly (News - Alert), vice president of integrated communications services at IBM Global Technology Services, said that in an environment where “anytime, anyplace” communications is critical, wireless and mobility solutions allow healthcare providers to dramatically improve decision-making processes and bring more resources directly to the patient.

 

Guihard-Joly said that these new services deliver a communication platform with instant wireless communications and real time location and event-driven, intelligent notification to help healthcare organizations improve clinical effectiveness, productivity and risk management while increasing patient care.