Galway clinic gets 21st Century treatment

Siemens Information & Communications Networks (ICN) is providing the Galway Clinic with a fully integrated information and communications network, radiotherapy equipment and consulting services.

All departments within the hospital will be connected and the voice and data communications system is integrated with the hospital information system so that electronic patient records can be accessed from any device anywhere in the hospital.
One of the key applications provided is HiMed, which allows patients to make telephone calls from their bedsides with a call tracking system that is prepaid with smart card technology. The Siemens HiMed entertainment system can be used to allow patients to watch TV, listen to the radio or surf the Internet from their bedside. It also enables medical staff to retrieve up-to-date information about the patient (such as patient records) at any time from the bedside.

Another application being installed is Siemens DAKS (Digital Alarm Communications Server) messaging and mobilisation system. In the event of a crisis, such as a medical emergency or fire alarm, appropriate personnel are alerted and co-ordinated immediately by pre-programmed rules. It will also interface to the Nurse Call System so that patients can call a nurse from the telephone handset at the bedside. It will also reach a nurse using a cordless phone rather than a pager.

The data network infrastructure uses Enterasys equipment where a key feature of the design is User Prioritised Networking, which configures the network to maximise each user’s experience based on their unique user profile. This functionality will tie in with the HiPath Communications Server at the core of the network to host a fully converged IP telephony solution based on information security, workflow efficiency and staff mobility. Doctors and external consultants will be able to log onto the network at any time of the day and from any location using Token ID tags.

James Sheehan, co-founder of the Galway Clinic, said the new hospital will be one of the first of a series of hospitals in Europe to use innovative technology to change the way healthcare is delivered.
‘The availability of accurate patient information at the touch of a button saves busy doctors and nurses from having to pull paper records or flip through charts. Such readily available information can have life-saving implications. The digital imaging capabilities will enable increased diagnostic accuracy and eliminate inefficient, time consuming processes and excessive paper flow.’

The 100-bed hospital will be located at Doughisca Roundabout in Oranmore, Galway and aims to relieve the pressure of current waiting lists as well as adding another hospital on the western seaboard.

02/02/04

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