Becker's Hospital Review

139 Executive Briefing: top computers, too, where many administrative and other staff typically work. Mr. Brown offers iMessage, the Apple-based text messag- ing system, as an example of this multimodal structure in the consumer market. While iMessage originated as a function of smartphones, it has expanded to work on iPads and Mac computers. "It runs throughout the day," Mr. Brown says. "A healthcare communication platform needs to shadow where consumer products have already gone." The second characteristic of a communication platform is that it integrates with third-party systems, and the data doesn't exist in a silo. Caregivers want a plethora of patient information in one place, such as medications and lab results, and they want to communicate that information easily with their care teams. Finally, a healthcare communication platform should allow for future innovation. It is not a one-time implementation proj- ect; rather, leaders can look holistically at the platform and use it to satisfy use cases other than its originally intended one. Mr. Brown says this type of innovation often happens with EHRs, when clinicians and researchers use data and functionalities on those platforms to develop fall risk scores or measure the risk for other potential adverse events. Development lies in the hands of the users, rather than waiting for vendors to release updates. Mr. Brown says the main benefit of a healthcare communi- cation platform is connecting users across the care continuum while making patient care more efficient by eliminating sepa- rate workflows. "A platform ensures you can connect the healthcare en- terprise and the entire care continuum," he says. "If my email worked only within my department at Voalte, I would not be able to get much done. I need to be able to communicate with everyone I'm working with, no matter where they are." Selecting a healthcare communication platform Once an organization decides a healthcare communication platform fits its secure mobile communication strategy, it must select the specific platform that meets its needs. Mr. Brown says a platform should support the three com- munication processes in healthcare: voice communication, text messaging, and alarm and alert notifications. Secondly, Mr. Brown underscores the importance of select- ing a vendor that has successfully implemented its platform at another healthcare site and has done it at scale. "It's great to have amazing software, but in healthcare, being able to deploy that software successfully is even more important," he says. A well-seasoned vendor is also important for a smooth integration of the communication platform with the third-party systems the organization already uses. "You're going to strug- gle if your vendor hasn't done multiple integrations," Mr. Brown says. And, it's a good sign when a communication platform allows the organization to continue to grow and innovate, even after it is rolled out through the system. "You can't boil the ocean in one day. You need a roll-out strategy with phases that allow for future growth," Mr. Brown says, adding that this, too, will be indicative of a vendor's experience and ability to achieve a successful implementation. A solution to simplify — not complicate — commu- nication With the proliferation of BYOD programs and use of smart- phones in daily life, an optimal secure communication strategy should incorporate an easy-to-use device that, ideally, the user already owns or knows how to operate. This was one of the foundational principles leading to the formation of Voalte. The company was founded on the prem- ise of using an existing device — the smartphone — to simplify healthcare communication. "Our founder, Trey Lauderdale, started the company after seeing the Apple iPhone. He said, 'Why are we sending nurse call alerts to pagers? We should be sending them to smart- phones,'" Mr. Brown says. Users already understand smartphones. The trick was to introduce that existing device into healthcare while maintain- ing compliance and supporting security. The goal was to build a healthcare-specific communication platform that isn't too different from how people communicate in their personal lives, Mr. Brown says. That familiarity and ease of use of the device can make a difference in patient care and secure communications, as the learning curve is nonexistent. As such, the device can more easily integrate into the existing workflow and allow providers to focus on delivering their best care. When it comes to healthcare communication, HIPAA com- pliance, patient safety and workflow efficiency are top of mind, but a strategy to address all three of these elements doesn't have to be complicated. By leveraging existing knowledge and capabilities, hospitals can combine a secure mobile commu- nication strategy with the right communication platform to develop a path to future success. n Sponsored by: Voalte develops smartphone solutions that simplify caregiver communication. As the only company to offer a comprehensive Mobile Communication Strategy, Voalte enables care teams inside and outside the hospital to access and exchange information securely. Voalte customers benefit from a solid smartphone infrastructure that supports their existing systems and expands to accommodate future technologies. Unified Care Collaboration

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