Texas Health has rolled out major upgrades to the SONIFI® Health interactive television system at all hospitals.
While all these updates are patient-facing, they’ve been integrated seamlessly into the CareConnect One dashboard for caregivers to use. When care team members log updates to a chart, they can easily add information that empowers patients throughout their hospital stay.
Features now available on the patient’s TV screens include:
- Dynamic care team – this allows patients to see caregivers who are assigned to them in real time and helps explain to the patient what the roles are and what each person does
- Honor My Caregiver – a QR code takes patients directly to the Grateful Hearts Foundation page where they can make donations
- MyChart shortcut – a new link with a QR code that takes a patient directly to the Texas Health MyChart page to register/sign in and see their medical information
“This update allows patients to get on-demand information about their care during their stay and connects them with MyChart, so they’re set up for success once they go home,” said Rudy Loremo, ITS SONIFI Enterprise Administration.
Ten departments and two committees came together to make these updates and are continuing to monitor two more features still being piloted.
“I love being part of an organization that uses technology to enhance the patient experience,” said Brenda Taylor, IT entity director. “We are looking at all the different areas to make sure we are focusing on the consumer.”
The additional features coming soon include:
- Education prompting – this will pop up a reminder for patients that they have education to watch. It currently is being piloted at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Cleburne. The feature is expected to roll out to all hospitals at the end of March.
- Calculated diet ordering – this will allow patients to order calculated diet meals on their TV or through tablets. This feature is anticipated to start at the beginning of the second quarter.
“The education reminder is great because it will hopefully increase completion rates, which in turn will help reduce readmissions,” Loremo added.
SONIFI has a virtual tour for users but it doesn’t cover every single feature. Caregivers can show patients these new features located under “My Stay” on the TV menu.
“Texas Health is truly embracing digital messaging and interactivity to allow patients to engage directly with their care both while in the hospital and after they leave,” Loremo said. “The goals are not only to increase interactivity and information transparency but to put time back on the clock for our front-line staff.”
By Kari Littrell • Posted March 9, 2021
