2009 Best use of wireless healthcare

Winner

Southampton University Hospital Trust – Wireless Remote Access Programme

Southampton University Hospital Trust’s (SUHT) extension of its secure wireless network to remote non-campus sites has improved patient care and increased the efficiency of staff. Senior medical staff have identified this project as a contributing factor in saving lives at the hospital and at remote centres along the south coast and Channel Islands.

Finalists

University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwick NHS Trust – Delivery of a VitalPAC project

Using VitalPAC software on handheld computers clinical staff now record patient observations electronically, enabling ‘real time’ patient monitoring across the hospital. The system has shown the potential to provide significant clinical and efficiency benefits including: electronic provision of Modified Early Warning Scores (MEWS), which provide an indicator of the patient’s health and physiological condition.

York Hospitals NHS Trust – Using wireless phones in an emergency care setting

York Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust exploits its advanced wireless network, wireless phones and electronic patient record to smooth the path for emergency admissions. When the patient arrives on the ward, they are “accepted” by the ward staff, and a further message is sent to the wireless phone, informing the doctor who can acknowledge and accept the admission. This system has dramatically improved the admission process.