Advancements in healthcare technology are reshaping how clinicians deliver patient care, optimising workflows and enhancing efficiency. Sentara Health's introduction of nearly 6,000 specialised smartphones across its network of hospitals exemplifies this shift, enabling healthcare providers to focus more on bedside care and less on administrative burdens. By consolidating communication tools and integrating seamlessly with electronic medical record systems, these secure devices are profoundly changing how healthcare is delivered, ultimately improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Streamlined Communication for Better Care
Sentara Health’s deployment of clinical smartphones has provided a unified communication platform that replaces various outdated tools, including pagers, walkie-talkies and computer carts. These devices consolidate numerous functions into a single, portable solution, enabling clinicians to manage their tasks more effectively. Staff can input data in real time, scan medications, validate device data and even document lab results directly from the bedside. This integration with Sentara’s electronic medical record system allows for more accurate and efficient data handling, reducing potential errors.
One of the smartphone’s standout features is the Dynamic Care Team function, which provides real-time updates on the availability and contact details of each patient’s care team. This functionality ensures that clinicians can quickly and efficiently coordinate with colleagues, enhancing the speed and effectiveness of patient care. Urgent alerts, such as stroke responses or trauma notifications, are sent directly to the smartphones, enabling rapid mobilisation of resources when every second counts. These devices allow healthcare providers to dedicate more attention to their patients by simplifying communication, fostering stronger connections and a more personalised care experience.
Efficiency Gains Across Clinical Operations
Smartphones have significantly improved operational efficiency across Sentara Health’s hospitals. Routine processes, such as administering medication through an IV pump, have been simplified dramatically. What once required up to 80 steps can now be completed in just 10, with all necessary actions performed from a single location at the bedside. This reduction in complexity saves time and decreases the physical strain on staff, who previously had to move repeatedly around a patient’s room to complete tasks.
Moreover, the devices have helped reduce patient admission times to emergency departments and shortened overall hospital stays, contributing to a smoother and faster care process. Radiology scans are processed more quickly, while ambient noise from alarms and other devices has decreased, creating a calmer environment for both patients and staff. Another notable improvement is the reduction in the number of physical steps clinicians take during their shifts. By centralising functions onto a single device, staff can work more efficiently, minimising unnecessary movement and fatigue.
These efficiency gains have also had a profound impact on staff wellbeing. Nurses and other clinical staff report feeling less stressed and better able to focus on patient care. This alleviation of workload pressures not only enhances job satisfaction but also contributes to improved patient outcomes, as clinicians are more present and engaged in their roles.
Security and Patient Trust
Sentara Health has prioritised patient privacy and data security in the rollout of its clinical smartphones. Unlike consumer-grade smartphones, these devices operate on a secure, HIPAA-compliant network and do not store any local data. At the end of each shift, the phones are docked and automatically wiped, ensuring no sensitive information remains on the device. This robust security protocol gives both patients and clinicians peace of mind, safeguarding personal data and maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality.
Patient education has been an essential aspect of the programme’s success. Signage in patient rooms explains the purpose of the smartphones, clarifying that clinicians are using secure work devices rather than personal phones. This transparency helps alleviate any concerns patients may have about using smartphones in their care. The devices’ professional design and functionality reinforce their role as a clinical tool, ensuring patients feel confident in the technology’s purpose and benefits.
Staff adoption of the smartphones has been overwhelmingly positive. Despite the challenges often associated with introducing new technology, clinicians have enthusiastically embraced the devices, recognising the value they bring to their workflows. This widespread acceptance has enabled Sentara to accelerate the rollout across its hospitals, with full deployment expected by the end of the year.
Sentara Health’s implementation of clinical smartphones represents a groundbreaking step in the evolution of patient care. By reorganising communication, improving workflow efficiency and safeguarding patient privacy, these devices have transformed how clinicians interact with patients and each other. The technology not only alleviates the administrative burdens that can detract from bedside care but also empowers healthcare providers to deliver safer, more efficient and more personalised treatment.
As the rollout continues across Sentara’s network, the impact of these smartphones on patient care is becoming increasingly evident. The benefits are various, from faster response times and shorter hospital stays to enhanced staff well-being and patient satisfaction. This pocket-sized revolution exemplifies how innovative technology can redefine healthcare delivery, setting a new standard for excellence in patient-centred care.
Source: HIMSS
Image Credit: iStock
