US-based medical diagnostic device company Welch Allyn has completed the installation of Connex Electronic Vitals Documentation System (EVDS) at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Florida, US.
Connex EVDS includes patient data encryption across the hospitals' wireless networks.
The center recently deployed 75 Connex Vital Signs Monitor (VSM) 6500 Series devices to reduce the time spent on documentation of vitals and to terminate the transcription errors as well as to safeguard patient data.
The Connex VSM comes with a touchscreen. The three-in-one device documents automatic measurements such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature and pulse oximetry; manual parameters such as respiration, height, weight and pain level; and modifiers such as body position, O2 therapy details and others.
The radio integrated into the device is validated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for meeting the Federal Information Processing Standard.
The radio operates with hospitals' existing wireless systems using 802.11 a/b/g technology. It enables the device transmit vital signs data to an electronic medical record (EMR) through Connex Vitals Management Software by eliminating the need of clinicians to manually input data.
Welch Allyn solution architect Bill Quatier said that the integrated radio in the Connex VSM devices uniquely meets the demands of clinical staff on the frontlines since it was designed specifically for low-acuity areas, like med/surg floors.
"The wireless coverage in these areas may be less robust than traditional monitoring locales, like telemetry units, and this radio is optimized to work seamlessly in these areas to improve clinician workflow and reduce errors.
"It also provides the highest level of authentication and encryption available for commercial 802.11 networks and FIPS validation adds additional peace of mind that the data will not be breached or compromised," Quatier added.
The facility will deploy 225 more Connex VSM devices by the end of the year.
