Look doc, no wires: hospital CEO Curtis James selects a wireless network as a no-headache remedy for physician care - Cover Story

Communications News,  March, 2003  

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The wireless solution also begins the final phase of the facility's digital hospital initiative, which includes computerized physician order entry, allowing physicians to instantaneously review vital patient information and electronically place orders for care. Physicians will be using a sophisticated computer program to assist them in plotting therapeutic courses: a system that brings together the latest treatment options, pertinent patient information and drug alternatives to save money and time, while improving patient care and safety. It will offer treatment options as individual physicians decide on their course of action.

BellSouth's wireless LAN network solution is one of the final steps in achieving a digital environment that places both historical and real-time patient data, along with best practice and medical information, in the caregiver's hands.

"The most important benefit of wireless communications is the efficiency it gives our caregivers," explains Anderson. "The ability to access information from literally any point on the campus at any time has a profound impact on their ability to make the right decisions at the right time."

James adds that, "Wireless is an integral part in our strategy to become all digital. We are seeing more and more ways to utilize the new network, especially as new pen-based tablets become available. Virtually every day we identify new ways to capitalize on this investment.

"I am a big believer that technology can deliver a competitive edge if it's used correctly. Wireless is that for St. Vincent's-it enables us to better deliver the quality care that we're in the business of providing."

For more information from BellSouth: www.mleads.com/303cn-251

Atlanta's southern belle

BellSoulh is a Fortune 100 communications services company, headquartered in Atlanta, that serves more that 44 million customers in the United States and 14 other countries. The company provides a full army of broadband data solutions to large, medium and small businesses.

BellSouth's suite of data transport and WAN services includes VPN. optical services, dedicated Internet access, metro Ethernet and frame relay. BellSoulh expects to launch its Network-VPN service at the end of March, which will allow businesses to have WAN/LAN connections with multiple transport options (e.g., DSL, private line, frame relay).

Duane Ackerman is chairman and chief executive officer of BellSouth and has served the company in that role since 1998.

Ackerman began his communications career in 1964, and has served in numerous capacities with BellSouth. He was named president, chief executive officer of BellSouth Telecommunications, BellSouth's local telephone service unit and largest subsidiary, in 1992. Ackerman was promoted to vice chairman and chief operating officer of the parent company, BellSouth Corp., in 1995, and was elevated to the position of president and chief executive officer in 1997.A year later, he was appointed chairman and chief executive officer of BellSouth.