Empowering a Healthcare Client with Cutting-Edge Communication Solutions 

What are the implications of an outdated communication system and network challenges? An Assisted Living and Rehabilitation/Extended Care facility in Connecticut faced the daunting task of overcoming such hurdles. Hindered by telecom and network inefficiencies, their operations and safety were compromised. By implementing cutting-edge healthcare communications solutions, the facility transformed. They moved from struggling with inefficiency to significantly improving operational efficiency, safety, care quality, and satisfaction for patients, visitors, and staff.

The Problem

A reputable institution in the senior living and healthcare industry was severely limited by an outdated communication system. They were plagued with telecommunications and network challenges that hindered not only their operational efficiency, but also compromised the safety and satisfaction of their patients, visitors and staff. The challenges this organization was facing included:

• Legacy Phone System: Both their Assisted living and Rehabilitation/Extended care facilities operated on an obsolete phone system which had long been unsupported.
• Lack of Data Cabling Infrastructure: Due to the age of the facility, there was no established data cabling infrastructure. This absence posed significant limitations to the scalability and robustness of their IT and communication networks. 
• Unmanaged Network Security: The facilities network firewall and WiFi security were antiquated, posing a grave risk to patient data and operational integrity and security. 

Universal Connectivity Healthcare Communications Solutions 

Voice and Data Cabling Upgrade: Universal Connectivity started the transition by revamping the facilities voice and data cabling. This upgrade ensured robust, high-speed connections, paving the way for advanced voice and data systems to be introduced. 

Cloud Phone System: The facility was then transitioned to a cloud-based phone system. This streamlined administrative communication, created business mobility, and optimized interactions with medical personnel & patients vastly improving their experiences.

Nurse Mobility with Wireless Phones: To ensure that medical staff could efficiently respond to emergencies and patient needs, nurses were equipped with wireless phones. This mobility ensures they stay reachable irrespective of their location within the premises. 

Group Paging: By leveraging the VoIP system’s features and capabilities, they were able to obviate the need for separate devices or tools called “paging adapters.” Now, the team uses their extensions to make announcements or send messages directly from the phone.

Ubiquitous Secure WiFi: Universal Connectivity established a secure, comprehensive WiFi network accessible throughout the facility. Separate networks for internal staff, residents and guests ensured both usability and security. 

Internet Services: Universal Connectivity upgraded the circuit from 20M to 1Gig, significantly enhancing the network’s speed and capacity. This upgrade facilitates faster data transfer rates, reduced latency, and accommodates more simultaneous users or devices without any reduction in speed. Furthermore, we introduced redundancy with a backup system to guarantee uninterrupted service, even in the event of primary system failure. This backup circuit will seamlessly maintain network connectivity. 

Managed WiFi with Enhanced Security: To counter the earlier security issues, Universal Connectivity introduced a fully managed WiFi system. With regular updates and maintenance, the risk of breaches or lapses was minimized.

Network & Firewall Update: Lastly, the entire network was fortified with state-of-the-art security measures and an updated firewall and LAN network PoE switching, ensuring the hospital’s digital assets and patient data were protected. 

The Result

Upon completion of Universal Connectivity’s intervention, the senoir living healthcare institution experienced a remarkable transformation in its communication capabilities. Not only was communication smoother and more reliable, but the institution could also rest assured that its data and communications were secure.

Universal Connectivity standardized the infrastructure and systems across the entire enterprise for added efficiency in operations, training, and support. Every site now operates in the same way using the same tools, technologies, processes, and systems.

 For the facilities, this ensured: 

• Operations are more streamlined: as there is a consistent approach across all sites. Due to this standardization, an employee from one location can easily work at or collaborate with another location without having to learn new systems or processes. 
• Training is simplified: as employees must only learn one system, regardless of their location.
• Support: became more straightforward because IT and support teams can specialize in a single system rather than managing multiple different systems. 
• Enabling staff to be familiar with systems no matter the location they are working from: The modernized infrastructure led to improved patient care, quicker response times, and a considerable reduction in operational inefficiencies. Staff members could now focus on their core responsibilities without being hampered by outdated technology.  

Universal Connectivity’s tailored solution for the senior healthcare institution stands as a testament to their expertise and commitment to driving meaningful change. In an industry where effective communication is paramount to delivering optimal patient care and operational efficiency, the significance of this upgrade is clear.  To learn more about streamlining operations, enhancing satisfaction and cutting costs, partner with Universal Connectivity.

We believe every business deserves to be better connected.