Press Release

Pacific Medical Centers Chooses Versus for Clinic Workflow Automation

 

By supporting workflow automation in real-time, Versus continues to shatter the notion that benefits of RTLS are limited to just basic asset and patient tracking

 

(Traverse City, Michigan, April 6, 2010) – Canyon Park Clinic, Pacific Medical Center’s new multi-specialty clinic in Bothell, WA, will host Clinic Workflow Automation from Versus Technology, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: VSTI) when it opens in April 2010. Pacific Medical Center (PacMed) recognizes that state-of-the-art technology attracts patients seeking high-quality care and allows caregivers to provide that higher level of care.

 

Brett Daniel, MD, Medical Director at PacMed helped identify the Versus solution for process improvement. Daniel explains, “We are building clinical infrastructure and workflow processes that we believe will help us deliver an exceptional level of care to our patients, and at the same time will allow our providers to focus on delivering that care without spending unnecessary time on paperwork, searching for help, or other inefficiencies. We see Versus as a key partner in delivering on these goals."

 

The Clinic Workflow Automation solution is based on Versus’ real-time locating system (RTLS), Versus Advantages™. By keying off of location data collected through the RTLS, Versus Advantages identifies current locations of patients and resources, patient status, and room status. As each data point is time stamped, Versus can deliver reports regarding overall Length of Stay (LOS) or how long it takes to complete each individual stage of care, such as Nurse Assessment. Advantages also displays other key indicators such as whether lab or imaging services are required or whether the patient is new or existing.

 

More important from a clinic workflow automation perspective, however, is Versus’ ability to deliver patient status information within the context of the patient visit. With this information, staff will know who has seen the patient, who is currently with the patient and who needs to see the patient next. This information will be automatically communicated to staff on virtual communication boards located throughout the facility as well as on individual workstations or mobile devices to provide an efficient Glance-and-Go™ workflow.

 

PacMed first encountered the Versus Clinical Workflow Automation solution at Virginia Mason Kirkland Clinic where staff rely on the Versus solution to determine which patient should be seen next. “We know from empirical evidence from national organizations like the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) that patients have a limited tolerance when waiting to see their clinician,” says Linda Eremic , Director of Operations. “Part of our philosophy of quality care at Pacific Medical Center , is being available when and where our patients need us. Through automated workflows, including wait time alerts and communication of patient status, Versus will help us to achieve our patient satisfaction goals.” 

 

When the new 30,000 sq. ft. Canyon Park Clinic opens, PacMed expects to see 450 patients each day. With 60 full-time caregivers and support personnel and just as many rooms to manage, the clinic will rely on Versus to help accomplish some very specific goals. Chief among them are to increase patient satisfaction, enhance communication, utilize rooms and equipment more efficiently and decrease the Length of Stay.  

 

On the efficiency side, Versus will integrate to several key systems to help eliminate the need for redundant data entry. One integration will be to receive registration and scheduling data from GE Centricity Business Solutions. When displayed on the Versus communication boards, Canyon Park caregivers will see in real-time which patients are waiting and their scheduled appointment times. Future integration will be with Epic Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system to further enhance the patient experience.

 

“We’re very excited to be working with PacMed,” says Paul Timmerman, VP, Versus. “It provides another opportunity to automate clinical workflow. Versus Advantages will improve communication and reduce manual tasks among caregivers to create a better patient care environment and enhance the experience of the patient.” The implementation at Canyon Park Clinic will be in partnership with AAtronics, Inc., a local Systems Integration Dealer who will work closely with Versus and PacMed during the design and implementation phases of the project.

 

About Pacific Medical Centers

Pacific Medical Centers is a private not-for-profit, multi-specialty health-care network of 10 locations with 140 primary and specialty care providers.  Its 10 locations are in Puget Sound neighborhoods in Beacon Hill, Bothell, downtown Seattle , Northgate, Federal Way , First Hill, Lynnwood , Northgate, Renton and Totem Lake . Pacific Medical Centers serves patients with commercial insurance, retired military and their families, family members of active-duty personnel, as well as the underserved in our community.

 

About AAtronics, Inc.

Founded in 1971, Aatronics, Inc. is a low voltage systems contractor and integrator, specializing in audio, video, projection, nurse call communications, wireless patient and asset tracking and complete control system integration. They are one of the largest system integrators serving the Pacific Northwest .

About Versus Technology, Inc.

For nearly 20 years, Versus Technology, Inc. has maintained the leadership position in the development and sale of context-aware real-time location systems (RTLS) used for enterprise patient tracking, bed management and asset tracking to improve patient flow and caregiver/patient communications in hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities. Versus also develops dual infrared and Active RFID tags and other location tracking hardware to make locating systems more precise, security systems more intelligent, nurse call systems automatic, and hospital asset tracking systems more efficient. Indoor positioning through Versus’ RTLS enhances existing hospital software and patient care systems with real-time, reliable bed-level location information. The patented Versus IR and Active RFID patient and asset tracking system is exclusively endorsed by the American Hospital Association and is a key component of their Patient Flow Platform—which includes a select group of vendors that provide proven solutions to enhance patient flow and improve patient safety. (www.versustech.com; Pink Sheets: VSTI.PK)

 

Safe Harbor Provision

This document may contain forward-looking statements relating to future events, such as the development of new products, the commencement of production, or the future financial performance of the Company. These statements fall within the meaning of forward-looking information as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to a number of important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting the Company’s markets and market growth rates, products and their rate of commercialization, services, prices and adequacy of financing, and other factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update, amend, or clarify forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

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Media Contact:                                                           Investor/Analyst Contact:

Versus Technology, Inc.                                                Versus Technology, Inc.           

Stephanie Bertschy, Director of Marketing                       Joseph Winowiecki, Chief Financial Officer

877.983.7787                                                                231.946.5868

skb@versustech.com                                                    joew@versustech.com