Smart technology was always in the plans for the New Wing of the Petoskey Campus, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, McLaren Northern Michigan fast-tracked investments in virtual technology. The Banyan Virtual Care Platform allows medical providers located in different areas of the hospital to round on patients, reducing in-person encounters and increasing safety for patients and their providers.
While not originally intended as an infection control measure, it has proven invaluable to minimize the risk of transmission while allowing caregivers to deliver high-quality care. This technology does not replace hands-on care. It is an additional tool that helps reduce exposure for medical providers and staff, preserves supplies, and provides frequent interaction and comfort to patients.
Every patient room at McLaren Northern Michigan will be outfitted with this Virtual Care Platform, including the Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit, Acute Rehabilitation Unit, and the New Wing. In addition, the rooms will be equipped with “Smart Room” technology using high-tech tools that will make the inpatient experience safer, more comfortable, and less-stressful for patients, their families, and the staff who care for them.
The “Smart Room” consists of advanced technology, furniture, and equipment to give patients more control of their environment, greater access to their care team and medical information, increased privacy and safety, new bedside telehealth and virtual nursing care, and many other features.
Engineering requires integration of many components, including software, equipment, furniture, and IT configuration. The total cost of this project is more than $2 million. Would you consider being a part of this project to keep our patients safer in the coming years?
Every gift counts and will provide McLaren Northern Michigan with the tools to respond to urgent patient needs now and in the future. Please consider a gift to the Equipment and Technology Fund today. If you would like to learn more, give us a call, 231-487-3500.