Traverse City, Mich. and Dayton, Ohio (PRWEB) February 08, 2018 -- Columbia Basin Health Association (CBHA), in Othello, Wash., went live with Versus Advantages Clinic patient flow solution at its new outpatient clinic to enhance patient flow efficiencies and support the delivery of an exceptional patient experience.
Each day, nearly 400 patients visit the clinic for medical, dental, eye care and family services. Using Versus Advantages, powered by real-time locating system (RTLS) technology, staff can analyze and adjust patient flow in the moment. Patients, providers and staff wear lightweight locator badges that automatically update the Versus software, enabling staff to know where patients are, how long they’ve been waiting, who has seen them, and who needs to see them next. Real-time data is presented on electronic white boards, allowing staff to alter resources to minimize patient waiting.
“Patient satisfaction is always our primary focus,” says Dulcye Field, Chief Operating Officer at CBHA. “By reducing wait times and overall visit times, we’re hoping to see an increase in the percentage of patients who rate their visit ‘excellent’ in weekly surveys.”
CBHA also launched the first Versus-LumiSplash integration, which communicates room and patient visit status using colored panels outside each exam room. The Versus software shares status information – room available, occupied and ready for cleaning; and patient ready for provider or phlebotomy and patient with provider – triggering the panels to illuminate with a corresponding status color. Room and visit status are visible in both the Versus software and via the LumiSplash panels.
“Seeing where everyone is located and having an at-a-glance view of room status helps us deliver better patient care,” says Field. “We can anticipate patient needs and expedite the way services are delivered. As we fine tune more processes, we’ll continue to improve.”
In addition to real-time operational data that supports workflow efficiencies in the moment, accessing retrospective data with the Reports Plus™ Analytics platform is the next step for CBHA. “I’m looking forward to reviewing the data. What other areas of the patient visit can we improve?” asks Field. “While our biggest initiative is the impact on patient satisfaction, we’ll also look at resource utilization. How much time do providers and staff spend with patients? Can we schedule appointments more effectively?”
Real-time and historical data will also help CBHA manage medical equipment, which is tracked with Versus Asset Tags. “Staff are always looking for EKG machines, wheelchairs and IV pumps,” Field explains. “As an administrator, I’d like to know how often certain items are used. Do we really need to purchase more equipment or does the equipment need to be more conveniently located for staff?”
Thanks to the scalable nature of the Versus system, additional applications are available, leveraging the same RTLS network. “We’ll also be launching the Versus Hand Hygiene solution,” says Field. “CBHA is Joint Commission accredited and looking forward to being able to better audit hand hygiene participation in our medical suites.”
Field shares, “All along, we said we wanted to be the best rural clinic in the U.S. We tried to achieve that through clinic design, décor, high-tech solutions and better workflow efficiencies. The Versus solution fits right into our goals for patient satisfaction, cutting-edge locating technology, and making the patient visit more pleasant and more efficient.”
CBHA is serviced locally by ATS Facility Systems, a certified Versus System Integrator in Renton, Wash.
Real-time patient flow information and reporting require highly accurate location data. In a 2016 report from the healthcare research firm KLAS, Versus received the highest rating among RTLS vendors for location accuracy, as well as for many other categories.1 For more on the KLAS report, visit versustech.com/KLAS.
Midmark Corporation acquired Versus Technology, Inc. in May 2016, creating a unique offering of clinical workflow solutions that encompass clinical workflow services, RTLS technology, medical equipment, diagnostic devices and design assistance for improved efficiency within health systems.
1 Source: “Real-time Location Systems (RTLS) 2016,” July 2016. © 2016 KLAS Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved. http://www.KLASresearch.com.
About Columbia Basin Health Association
Columbia Basin Health Association is a mission-minded integrated healthcare facility based in eastern Washington State. Established in 1971, CBHA provides top-tier medical, dental, eye, behavioral health and other clinical services to over 171,936 patients annually throughout its Othello, Mattawa and Connell locations. Each year the organization is recognized among Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) for its commitment to innovation, compliance, and delivery of quality health care. Visit CBHA.org to learn more.
About ATS Facility Systems
Established in 1986, ATS provides facility system contracting services, including engineering, installation, integration and service of RTLS Systems, fire, audio, security, wireless phones, Nurse Call and controls systems. Its service and construction territory include Washington, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Alaska, Colorado and Montana. Today ATS employs over 340 employees in the US. For more information, visit http://atsfacilitysystems.com.
About Versus Technology, Inc.
Versus Technology, Inc., a Midmark company, provides healthcare facilities with operational and clinical workflow intelligence using real-time locating system (RTLS) technology. Since its inception in 1988, more than 850 hospitals, clinics and senior care facilities have used Versus solutions to support healthcare’s ultimate goals: enhancing the patient experience while providing high-quality care at lower costs. With enterprise solutions for patient tracking, workflow automation, staff safety, hand hygiene and asset tracking, Versus improves patient flow, communication, and productivity to ultimately increase capacity. To learn more about Versus Technology, Inc., our technology and client successes, visit versustech.com.
About Midmark
Midmark Corporation, a privately held company founded in 1915, is a leading provider of medical, dental and veterinary equipment and technologies. Our more than 1,700 teammates worldwide are passionate, courageous leaders focused on making a positive difference in the lives we touch by improving the experience between patients and their caregivers. Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, Midmark maintains production and administrative offices in Versailles, Ohio, as well as seven other locations in the United States and international subsidiaries in India, Italy and the United Kingdom. To learn more, visit midmark.com.
Safe Harbor Provision
This release may include forward-looking statements which “bespeak caution,” and which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The statements are made only as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
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Jeanne Ehinger, Marketing Manager, Versus Technology, http://www.versustech.com, +1 877-983-7787 Ext: 1208, [email protected]
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