New Hospital TV System to Entertain, Educate Patients
It looks like a flat screen TV, but the patient education system in the new hospital will be so much more. At the touch of a button, patients will be able to:
- Call a nurse
- View videos about their health conditions
- Order a meal
- Adjust the lighting and the temperature
“The idea of the LodgeNet system is to help the patient be a full participant in their care,” said Vicki Stogsdill, vice president of nursing services.
Introducing LodgeNet
LodgeNet is a computerized education and entertainment system that is used in hotels and healthcare facilities across the country.
Educational
One of the features the clinical staff is most excited about is the educational video service. Patients will be able to watch videos about their surgery or illness. And their clinicians will be able to tell whether patients have done their homework.
Customizable
The system will be customized according to patient needs. For example, heart patients would have a menu of videos that would be completely different from those available to new moms. The system can be tailored so that children in pediatrics will have a more child-friendly look than the system in the other patient rooms.
Relaxation
Relaxation videos have been very popular in other hospitals. They provide background noise that makes patients comfortable but doesn’t distract from conversations with their visitors. Spiritual messages are another patient favorite.
Putting the Patient in Control
Many features will be available the first day the hospital opens. Others will be added later.
Information, Communication at Your Fingerprints
“LodgeNet has a varied functionality that will benefit patients,” said Stogsdill. “Education, entertainment and environmental controls can be ordered up by the patient. The clinicians can choose assignments for the patient based on that patients specific educational needs.”
There will be informational videos about general health, such as immunizations and exercise. The patient will have direct communication with pastoral care, maintenance and other departments. They will have many entertainment options, movies and their favorite television shows.
More Comfortable Environment
And, that makes the patient feel more at home, another positive for their healing, said Joni Sims, director of medical surgical services. When you’re at home you can decide what you what the watch, when you want to eat and the temperature of your room. The LodgeNet system puts them in control of those choices and much more.
“It’s going to be awesome,” Sims said. “It’s going to be so beneficial for our patients.”
