Press Release
Avera Surgery
Center Links Benefits to Versus RTLS
(Traverse City, Michigan, November 9, 2010) – The
Versus Real-time Locating System (RTLS) has been in use at Avera McKennan Hospital since 2003
for nurse call automation and 2006 for enterprise asset tracking. However, patients
and staff recently began to experience the power of the Versus
Advantages solution as it relates to
patient flow and clinical workflow automation.
This summer, the Avera Surgery Center opened its doors to their new,
state-of-the-art facility. Located on the fourth floor of the new Avera Cancer Institute, the Surgery Center has a separate
entrance and is also connected via skywalk to Avera McKennan hospital. Here, Avera implemented an automated patient
flow module from Versus that helps patients progress through their visits in a timely, well-structured
fashion. It also enables greater communication among staff—while requiring less
effort.
“Staff and patients really appreciate the locating system,”
explains Daren Smith, Director, Avera Surgery Center. “"It just gives them a feeling of control. Everyone knows
when you have surgery, you have so little control. So this gives patients and
loved ones an opportunity to see what's happening and it gives us an
opportunity to run a more efficient process because we always know where
patients are at, too."
The original RTLS implementation from Versus has been a catalyst for efficiency and improvement throughout
the organization. In addition to the existing applications, Avera is currently extending the outpatient Surgery Center workflow tools to the
hospital’s main operating room. In 2011, they plan to implement RTLS-based
workflow management within the ED, and, once Avera finalizes plans for the Cancer Institute, they are poised to add automated
patient flow functionality to the patient care areas that would benefit from
process automation.
The Versus Advantages solution
at the Surgery Center was featured in the Avera Medical Minute produced by ABC-affiliate, KSFY. The video can be viewed here. “Our relationship with Avera is deepened by our mutual commitment to the patient
experience,” says Paul Timmerman, VP, Versus. “After
seven years with Avera, Versus is still preeminently positioned as a safety and satisfaction tool within their
care environment. What better way to demonstrate our dedication to healthcare?”
Notably, Avera was recognized by Hospitals & Health
Networks magazine as a 2010 “Most Wired” and “Most Wireless” facility. They
are the only health system to receive this recognition each year since the
award’s inception.
About Avera McKennan
Avera McKennan Hospital &
University Health Center is an integrated health care delivery network
providing a full continuum of care. As a member of Avera Health, the region’s largest and strongest health care network, our patients
receive excellent care of the highest clinical quality, right here at home.
Within our network are 235 care locations in 87 communities in five states,
including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, retirement
communities, home medical equipment outlets and research centers. http://www.avera.org
About
Versus Technology, Inc.
Established in 1988, Versus
Technology, Inc. specializes in real-time location systems (RTLS) for healthcare. Used for
enterprise patient
tracking, bed
management, asset tracking, and nurse call automation, Versus Advantages™ improves patient
flow and
documentation of caregiver and patient interactions, while enhancing
communication and efficiency. Exclusively endorsed by the American Hospital
Association, the Versus Advantages infrared (IR) and Active RFID solution is responsible for
clinical-grade location and automation at a number of hospitals, clinics and
long-term care facilities worldwide. To learn more about Versus Technology,
Inc. (Pink Sheets: VSTI.PK), our technology and client successes, visit www.versustech.com and take the Advantages
Tour.
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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|
Media Contact: Versus Technology, Inc. 877.983.7787 |
Investor/Analyst
Contact:
Joseph Winowiecki, Chief Financial Officer 231.946.5868 joew@versustech.com |
