WHITE PAPER Ascom Unite: A great mind at work
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WHITE PAPER Ascom Unite: A great mind at work Healthcare facilities are comprised of complex communication networks connected with multiple clinical systems that provide large amounts of data to mobile workers to enhance patient care. The interconnection of all these disparate networks and systems are crucial for quicker communications, improving patient safety, and reducing length of stay. Ascom Unite acts like the brain, coordinating all of the information from the numerous systems and storing, forwarding and recording all of the actions while sending alerts and messages to the appropriate caregiver in a timely fashion. It therefore makes perfect sense to assume that the more powerful the brain that manages the interaction – the more effective the operation can become. The Ascom Unite Messaging Suite for Healthcare is comprised of a powerful suite of software applications that deliver intelligent integration, advanced alarm and messaging functionality and system management all in one unique package. Intelligent Integrations & Alarm Fatigue Not all companies can provide intelligent integrations. Intelligent integrations are two-way integrations, not just one-way. They allow the user to respond back to the system directly from their mobile device. They also allow the user to initiate an inquiry from the mobile device rather than just receiving messages. Intelligent integrations allow messages and alerts to be sent to individuals or groups based on assignments and responsibilities. They can also be configured to send alerts when certain thresholds are met rather than sending every single message that is generated from the system. This smart functionality is extremely important because it helps reduce alarm fatigue. Recently, there has been growing concern regarding the incidence of adverse events associated with clinical alarm systems and alarm fatigue. In fact, a recent analysis by the Boston Globe revealed 119 patient deaths were linked to ventilator alarm errors alone from 1 January 2005-June 2010 . The Boston Globe also reported that in one 15-bed unit at Johns Hopkins, staff found that, on average, one critical alarm went off every 90 seconds throughout the day. Reliance on physiological monitors to continuously “watch” patients and to alert the nurse when a serious rhythm problem occurs is standard practice on monitored units. Alarms are intended to alert clinicians to deviations from a predetermined “normal” status. However, alarm fatigue may occur when the sheer number of monitor alarms overwhelms clinicians, possibly leading to alarms being disabled, silenced, or ignored. Intelligent integrations utilizing Ascom Unite help hospitals greatly reduce alarm fatigue. Nurse Call & Patient Monitoring There are many clinical and non-clinical systems that can be integrated in a hospital with Ascom Unite. Virtually every department can benefit and improve their workflow processes and

more efficient when they have alerts and messages delivered automatically while they are on the move. As an example, nurses can receive messages from Nurse Call Systems, alarms from Patient Monitoring Systems and critical values from Laboratory Information Systems. Phlebotomists, Respiratory Therapists, Physical Therapists, and many others can receive messages directing them to their next assigned task from the hospitals order entry system without having to walk back to their departmental office to check in making them much more productive. In fact, Ascom Unite allows these types of...

like “monitor leads off”. All of these techniques help reduce alarm fatigue which results in a more satisfied nursing staff and ultimately better patient care. Easy to manage - Easy to use Ascom Unite has been designed around an advanced event aggregation, rules and notification engine that ensures maximum efficiency and effectiveness of notifications. The entire Ascom system is managed from one highly secure, reliable source and point of administration. Ascom Unite dramatically reduces the need for system supervision, giving managers a powerful tool to carry out numerous jobs that were...

For more information visit www.ascom.com/ws or contact: Tom McKearney, Director Product Line Unite Solutions Ascom Wireless Solutions Tel: +46 (0) 31 – 55 95 36 (Sweden office) Tel : +1 919 234 2507 (USA office) Mobile: +1 919 946 7336 (Mobile) Email: tom.mckearney@ascom.com ABOUT ASCOM WIRELESS SOLUTIONS Ascom Wireless Solutions (www.ascom.com/ws) is a leading provider of on-site wireless communications for key segments such as hospitals, senior care, independent living, manufacturing industries, secure establishments, retail and hotels. More than 75,000 systems are installed at major...