Austin, TX - Allen Technologies Inc., provider of the most advanced,
interactive patient care TV systems to health care facilities
nationwide for over 30 years, today announced a new version of Vigo™
in-room Interactive Patient Care (IPC) solution helps hospitals improve scores
for Hospital Process of Care Measures, mitigate Medicare Never Events, and facilitate
requests from patients to participate more fully in their treatment decisions.
“The new applications and capabilities the company is making available in version
8.0 couldn’t have arrived at a better time,” according to Allen Technologies’ CEO.
“In the first half of 2008 two Medicare initiatives and a patient trend have
converged on hospitals driving an accelerated effort in three areas: improving hospital’s
compliance with quality of care metrics, providing better patient education, and focusing
on patient satisfaction.”
The Vigo™ IPC is an in-room interactive communication solution that delivers a wide
variety of personalized information and services to the patient and/or nurse via a 17” touch
screen device or interactive LCD/TV. The system enables the patient’s care staff and hospital
administrators to make available to the patient important information and videos about their
care, medication, hospital facilities and staff. It also enables the patient to provide
real-time feedback.
How Vigo Assists Caregivers in Boosting CMS Hospital Process of Care Measures: There are 24
Process of Care Measures, which CMS has identified as being critical to successful outcomes.
For example, did a surgery patient receive the appropriate preventative antibiotic? Based on the
diagnosis, Vigo delivers a pop-up message for the patient asking if they received the antibiotic.
If the patient answers “no” or “I don’t know” the appropriate hospital
personnel will be notified. This not only aids the busy nursing staff, but lets patients know
they are participating in their treatment.
How Vigo Assists Hospitals in Elevating CMS Patient Experience Scores: There are 10 Patient
Experience metrics by which CMS is measuring and comparing hospitals as part of its HCAHPS initiative
(Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems). Vigo contributes to a positive
patient experience by providing a convenient and prescribed way for the hospital to send messages
to the patient inquiring about such things as pain level, satisfaction with the doctor’s communications,
room cleanliness, etc. At the first sign that the patient is less than satisfied, hospital staff
can address the concerns.
How Vigo Mitigates Medicare Never Events: Medicare’s Never Event policy went into effect in 2008.
Medicare no longer reimburses hospitals for the treatment of preventable injuries occurring in the facility,
including falls. For example, Vigo allows for prescribing fall prevention education videos, monitors if
the patient views the video, and can quiz the patient to rate their comprehension level.
How Vigo Assists Patients and Their Families Participate More Fully in Healthcare Decisions: Hospitals have
learned that many patients today are more educated about their illness and want to participate actively in
care decisions. For those patients, doctors can recommend information sources and videos that the patient
accesses bedside via the Vigo system.
About Allen Technologies Inc.
Founded in 1971, Allen Technologies, Inc. (www.allentek.com) delivers
interactive patient care television systems to hospitals. Allen
Technologies has been at the forefront of this industry since its founding.
Vigo™ is an interactive patient care television system
for hospitals. Vigo delivers a broad range of patient entertainment, such as,
television, movies, games, radio, books-on-line and internet access.
In addition, Vigo provides patients with access to a variety of educational content
and hospital services. For hospital staff, Vigo provides access to clinical applications
and other programs, which improve staff efficiency.
Please contact Allen Technologies to set up a demonstration of the Vigo system.
For further information please send an email to:
