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Nortel announced the implementation of an integrated communication system that enables the radiology department at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas to securely send medical orders directly to radiology technicians wirelessly. Nortel announced the implementation of an integrated communication system that enables the radiology department at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas to securely send medical orders directly to radiology technicians wirelessly. The system allows staff to receive medical orders anywhere on the hospital's 120 acre campus on a handheld device, which is expected to improve business processes associated with time-to-diagnosis, workflow and patient care.

This innovative solution, part of Nortel's Healthcare Solutions portfolio, was designed in collaboration with Baylor's Information Technology department to improve patient care. By expressing physician orders via instant messaging to radiology technicians equipped with Unified Communication-enabled BlackBerry devices, the technicians are able to more rapidly receive order requests, including patient location and severity of need. This is believed to be the first use of instant messaging and presence awareness on mobile devices to improve efficiency and productivity in a healthcare environment.

"Nortel has worked with our other technology vendors to improve communications in our radiology department, resulting in efficiencies in patient care," said Don Allen, director of radiology, Baylor University Medical Center. "This technology enables technicians to receive their next assignment from any floor in the hospital - without having to return to the department following each procedure. We hope to increase productivity and also to speed the availability of diagnostic information for the physician to make a diagnosis. We foresee extending this type of technology to different departments throughout the hospital."

"Baylor exemplifies excellence in patient care, medical education and research," said Charles Salameh, vice president, Network Business Solutions, Nortel. "Solutions like this one are designed to help Baylor further its reputation as an industry leader and innovator, improving quality of patient care by enhancing communications and operational efficiency."

The solution for Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas consists of the Multimedia Communication Server 5100, a unified communications platform that integrates IP telephony, multimedia conferencing, instant messaging, presence and other collaboration tools. This gives technologists in the Baylor Dallas radiology department anytime, anywhere access to communications for greater mobility, productivity and effectiveness while helping to reduce communication costs.

The complete Nortel Healthcare Solution for Baylor was coordinated through Nortel channel partner Xeta Technologies.