SUNNYVALE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Meru Networks, Inc., a pioneer in 802.11n enterprise networking, today announced that St. Joseph Health System has deployed Meru Networks wireless LAN (WLAN) solutions for implementing a Healthcare Information System (HCIS), including Meditech bedside patient registration, medication administration carts (BMV), voice applications for nurse call systems and asset tracking throughout its network of hospitals and healthcare clinics. With Meru’s high performance, high throughput and predictable wireless infrastructure, St. Joseph is able to improve the efficiency and reliability of its medical services with the convenience of mobility.
“To continue providing premium healthcare service to our patients, we knew we needed to bring the next generation of healthcare technology to our facilities – that wasn’t a question – but how to do it with 24×7 wireless access and the availability and predictability of a wired-like network was a key question,” said Alan Williams, Network Specialist, St. Joseph Health System. “With Meru’s virtualized WLAN technology, any concerns we had about wireless availability were immediately resolved. We implemented the facility-wide wireless network, beginning with call systems and bedside assistance, in just about a month with no hiccups. We’ve experienced continuous wireless access and toll-quality voice with seamless roaming with absolutely no dead spots. Our previous microcell architecture required us to RF re-plan. With Meru, RF re-planning is obsolete.”
Based in Bryan, Texas with healthcare facilities across the Brazos Valley, St. Joseph’s network of hospitals and healthcare clinics have approximately 2,500 employees, with more than 300 beds and servicing more than 18,000 patients yearly. To further improve patient care, while increasing the overall efficiency of healthcare operations, St. Joseph implemented Meru Networks’ wireless solutions and introduced the hospitals’ first bedside patient carts by Meditech, nurse call systems with Ascom and Meru’s EzRFTM Location Manager for asset tracking throughout the four main hospitals.
Additionally, to ensure best-in-class wireless accessibility, Meru’s Service Assurance ManagerTM (SAM) provides proactive monitoring of the network 24×7 to validate end-to-end service levels and identify potential problems in the network before such problems occur. With wireless networks gaining increased adoption for business-critical applications in healthcare, the additional service assurance offered through Meru’s SAM ensures that St. Joseph’s healthcare information systems, voice call systems and patient verification have optimal network performance and service.
“Meru has become a trusted partner for St. Joseph from both a technical and personnel perspective,” adds Williams. “We rely on their wireless network and take comfort knowing we can count on the team for any issues or questions that might arise. The entire experience – from concept to design to deployment – has been seamless and enjoyable with Meru.”
Historically, St. Joseph utilized a manual process for medication verification, records management and asset tracking, which created barriers to efficiency and also increased the potential for human error. The process required extensive back and forth to establish a patient’s identity, verify their medication prescription through the main system and then administer it at the bedside. Likewise, asset tracking was based on a person calling around to various departments to inquire on the whereabouts of medical devices, which often took nurses’ time away from patient care. With Meru, St. Joseph is able to quickly and efficiently locate critical assets throughout their facilities, offer quick and seamless medication verification right at the bedside, and enable direct patient-to-nurse calling – freeing up more resources to focus on patient care.
