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Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals at The Washington Hospital are using a new communication system that instantly connects them to each other, improving staff communication and patients’ stays at the hospital.

The clip-on communication device – called the Vocera Badge – enables health care professionals to spend more time with patients, rather than spending so much time returning pages or telephone calls.

By pressing a button on the badge and saying aloud an individual’s name, title or job function, badge wearers are instantly connected to the staff members they need.

If a doctor or nurse is busy with a patient, he or she can decline the call. The Vocera badge also takes messages.

“Instant communication means better patient care,” said hospital President and CEO Telford W. Thomas. “For instance, nurses no longer have to leave the bedside when they need assistance or medical equipment. Furthermore, the use of Vocera cuts down on the number of overhead pages, making the hospital quieter and more comfortable for patients.”

More than 1,400 healthcare professionals at The Washington Hospital are using the Vocera badge. The badges are also being given to families of outpatient surgery patients, so that they can grab a bite to eat or take a walk while they are waiting and not worry about missing an update on their loved one’s progress.

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THE WASHINGTON HOSPITAL Now offering digital mammography

The Washington Hospital Women’s Center performs more than 16,000 mammograms each year. To make the process quicker for the patient, and to provide more accurate results, the Center has recently added digital mammography.

Women’s Center radiologist Natasha Eshbaugh, M.D. likens digital mammography to a digital camera.

“The difference between digital mammography and film mammography is comparable to the difference between a digital camera and a film camera,” explained Eshbaugh. “Digital mammography images come up on the screen immediately. They can be manipulated to adjust for darkness or lightness. And we will know right away if another view is needed – the patient will not have to wait while the films are developed first.”

A traditional film screening mammogram usually takes 15 to 20 minutes – five to 10 of which is time spent developing films. A digital screening mammogram only takes about 10 minutes. Digital mammography images are also available immediately to physicians.

However, like with film mammography, compression is still required.

“Digital mammography is slightly better than traditional film mammography for women with ‘dense’ breasts,” said Eshbaugh.

The Women’s Center will also install a digital mammography unit at Waterdam Diagnostics in McMurray. Beginning in July, Waterdam Diagnostics will take walk-ins and appointments for screening mammograms.

Appointments are still needed at the Women’s Center at 95 Leonard Avenue in Washington.