Inaccurate information on whiteboards and lack of clear communication rank as two of the top 10 complaints reported by patients. The need to improve the healthcare experience is driving hospitals’ digitization efforts to enhance communication, improve workflow efficiency, and reduce medical errors. Especially in times of need, like the COVID-19 crisis that we are facing, displaying clear and up-to-date information around a campus like public announcement, wayfinding, and care information/alerts in patient rooms, is vital to keep everyone safe and in the know.
What pain points in hospitals does your solution address?
Most hospitals are still updating whiteboards manually, which takes a lot of time from the staff that could be used to care for patients. Manually updated whiteboards are also more likely to have errors or outdated information which would compromise patient safety and satisfaction.
Real-time data automated from an EMR/EHR system onto a digital display can keep everyone informed, but many hospitals are facing three challenges: complex and costly installation, the balance of making information available, and preventing light pollution from the display from affecting patients. Digital Paper displays from E Ink can address all of these issues, and more.
What is digital paper? How is it different from TV or LCD screen?
Digital Paper is a digital display that reads like an actual paper— as an example, it is the technology used in Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite eReader. It is an always-on display and emits no blue light, which makes it a better hospital signage option for content like patient information, so the critical information is always up-to-date and visible, without the light pollution in the dark to disturb patient’s sleep.
As digital paper operates in very low power, a smaller signage like door signs can be battery-powered, and whiteboards or hospital signage can be powered by PoE. Digital paper signage are basically plug-and-play devices; installation is fast and low-cost, and no infrastructure changes are needed, which helps hospitals with older buildings to enable a faster and easier digital transformation.
Has any hospital installed your solutions? What is their feedback?
More than 60 hospital installations globally in US, Japan, Taiwan, etc. have given the E Ink digital paper displays positive feedback. When we started to install the digital paper door sign system in Landmark Hospitals in Florida, the nursing staff all wanted their unit to be the next for this upgrade—one comment was “Digital paper technology is helping us improve patient care, save time and reduce errors.” Currently we are working with Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA on a case study for more data on these benefits.
A Risk-Free Device Loaner Program is now available for hospitals to test the Digital Paper system. Devices and demo-software are FREE through this program for the trial period. Software and installation are optional and available from E Ink partners. For details and applications visit http://go.eink.com/hospital-loaner-program
