Zebra's equipment helps medical centers optimize nurse workflows
Zebra Technologies Corp. said Truman Medical Centers, an academic health system in Kansas City, selected one of its systems designed to optimize the workflow of nurses.
The medical center chose Zebra's TC51-HC mobile computer running Cerner Corporation's CareAware Connect solution to streamline care-team communications and clinical workflows designed to increase patient safety through more efficient and effective care.
Zebra, a Lincolnshire company specializing in mobile computers, bar code scanners and bar code printers, said Truman Medical Centers are comprised of 51 clinics, including two inpatient facilities and a level-one trauma center. To serve the half a million annual visits they receive, nursing staff members previously carried five devices to do their jobs. Today, the nurses carry the TC51-HC mobile computer equipped with CareAware Connect to deliver more efficient and effective bedside care. The staff identified significant timesaving benefits from the deployment of the TC51-HC, which allows caregivers more time to focus on their patients. Nurses are taking 48 percent fewer steps than prior to implementing CareAware Connect on the TC51-HC. Also, time spent disinfecting communication equipment has decreased from 10 minutes to 1 minute.
"Zebra's TC51-HC mobile computers have transformed the workflow of the bedside nurse by putting a safeguard in each of their hands, which can help reduce medical errors," said Amy Peters, CNO, Truman Medical Centers.
"The global health care industry is increasingly turning to clinical mobility technology and automation to improve complex workflows and address highly administrative demands and inaccurate or incomplete information that can create barriers between caregivers and patients," said Chris Sullivan, global health care practice lead, Zebra Technologies. "Zebra's TC51-HC connects the right patient to the right care, providers to essential patient information, and caregivers to colleagues. Ultimately, it's designed to prevent medical errors, improve patient outcomes and enhance workflow efficiency."