“Our team understood how difficult it can be for families and friends waiting for updates about loved ones who are undergoing surgery,” says Hope Johnson, DNP, MSN, MBA, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, administrator of perioperative services at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, which has used the Vocera Ease application since 2018.
Johnson says that the Ease app has provided the organization with a secure way to update families in real time before, during, and after a surgical procedure. Families have the freedom to leave the waiting room without worrying that they will miss an update from a care team member. Loved ones who cannot come to the hospital can also stay updated. Care team members can send updates to patients’ loved ones via text, photos, and videos.
“We wanted to help ease some of that stress and worry,” says Johnson. “The app helps us improve the healthcare experience by improving communication with patients and families.” The healthcare organization started using the app in 2018, and since then has sent more than 172,000 secure messages and photo updates to patients’ loved ones across 50 states.
