News
July 08, 2014
Moyne Health Services a finalist in ITAC Awards
An innovative project that has revolutionised communication at Moyne Health Services’ Port Fairy campus has been named a finalist in a national awards program.
The service’s integration of Vocera technology with its Nursecall system has totally revolutionised its communications system, allowing two-way wireless communication between staff members and residents and patients from anywhere on the Port Fairy campus.
The project has now been named as a finalist in the Aged Care IT Awards 2014, run by the Aged Care IT Council and Aged and Community Services Australia. The awards will be presented at the 7th Annual Information Technology in Aged Care Conference in Hobart from 22-23 July.
Moyne Health Services (MHS) Corporate Support Services Executive Director Leigh Parker said the service was ecstatic to be named an awards finalist.
“The integration of the very powerful Vocera software with our Nursecall system truly was a communications revolution for the organisation,” Mr Parker said.
“It has really transformed how we work and how we communicate with our aged care residents and acute care patients. The system’s capabilities are extraordinary and the way we have integrated it into existing systems is unique for such a small regional healthcare provider.”
Mr Parker said that under the new communications system, staff members wore a Vocera badge around their necks that allows instant, hands-free wireless communication with each other, and between themselves and residents and patients.
Staff members can also locate one another, answer phone calls and send emails from their Vocera badges.
“By integrating Vocera technology with Nursecall, staff members can now have a two-way conversation with a resident hands-free as they walk to their room after a call for assistance has been logged,” he said.
“This allows the staff member to ascertain the resident’s needs as well as reduce their anxiety by letting them know they are on their way to help. Residents absolutely love it and so do the staff – it has been an incredible improvement on the previous system.”
Mr Parker said the new system has improved staff efficiencies, reduced maintenance and repair costs associated with the old Nursecall system, and has also provided improved telecommunications services to Belfast House and Moyneyana House residents including Wi-Fi and new phones with no line rental costs.
“Not only that, there have been so many qualitative outcomes of the project including an improved sense of wellbeing and peace-of-mind for aged care residents and improved staff morale,” he said.
The Aged Care IT Awards are held annually and recognise organisations that use information technology to improve business and health outcomes in the Australian aged and community care environment.
Media enquiries:
Leigh Parker, Corporate Support Services Executive Director, Moyne Health Services
Phone – 5568 0100