Nortel Partners with Baylor University
A new partnership between Baylor University Medical Center, based in Dallas, and Nortel Networks has allowed Baylor to upgrade the wireless system within the Baylor facility. Baylor implemented the presence and wireless instant messaging (IM) technologies from Nortel. The implementation was detailed in a press release from Nortel.
Baylor implemented the Nortel Multimedia Communication Server 5100. This unified communications platform integrates instant messaging, IP telephony, multimedia conferencing, presence and additional collaboration tools. The radiology department, thus, has anywhere and anytime access to communications across the vast, 120 acre Baylor campus.
Components implemented will allow clinicians to use IM to securely request radiology studies. As well, the unified communication software from Nortel enables transmission of patient data, including details such as the urgency of the study requested and the location of the patient for whom the study has been requested.
Radiology technologists on the campus are provided with Unified-Communication Enabled Blackberry devices from Research In Motion. Research In Motion manufactures wireless communication components. According to Nortel, this may be the first use of mobile devices for presence awareness and instant messaging in the world of healthcare.
The implementation was developed in collaboration with the two agencies, Nortel’s Healthcare Solutions worked directly with the Information Technology department at Baylor. Following an initial impact assessment, Baylor intends to expand the technology to other departments within the institution.
Both organizations suppose that this effort will improve workflow, decrease the time period until diagnosis, and improve patient care. Improved workflow is demonstrated as radiology techs do not have to return to the radiology department following completion of a study on the hospital ward. Instead, they can move from room to room to complete the requested imaging.
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September 18, 2007 Related topics: Wireless, Imaging, Trends, Partnerships & Consortia, Contract Awards