New technology at Washington, PA, facility puts staff in touch instantly

The Washington (PA) Hospital, a 265-bed community facility, has recently started using an innovative science fiction-like wireless voice communications system that allows doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to instantly connect to one other with a simple tap of a button. More than 1,400 people (everyone from nurses, lab technicians and doctors to housekeeping and escort) have been trained to use the Vocera badge and its accompanying software, which includes a hands-free, clip-on device about the size and shape of a portable digital voice recorder. As a result, staff are spending more time with patients and less time returning pages or telephone calls, say hospital representatives.