Care Initiatives Deploys Voice Technology for Outcomes-Based Care Across Skilled Nursing Facility Enterprise

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Vocollect Healthcare Systems (www.accunurse.com and www.blog.accunurse.com), a business unit of Intermec, Inc. (NYSE: IN), announces that Care Initiatives, the largest not-for-profit organization based in West Des Moines, Iowa, will deploy AccuNurse® voice technology across its entire skilled nursing facility (SNF) enterprise. Deploying voice allows Care Initiatives to deliver efficient care for patients and residents while preparing for 2014 healthcare reform demands.

AccuNurse voice-assisted care enables the following processes: real-time access to information and other staff; the elimination of paper-based printouts for managing care needs and documentation; the ability for caregivers to make decisions more accurately and quickly; and, the ability for the care team to multi-task while documenting care, thereby improving productivity and directing more time back to residents.

"Accuracy of documentation is vitally important to all SNFs," said Char Schlepp, RN, BS, RAC-CT and Vice President and Director of Operations for Care Initiatives. "Our use of the AccuNurse voice technology has allowed our staff to document patient care immediately, instead of at the end of their shifts. This means that the data is much more accurate and penalties can be avoided.  Our nursing staff is truly empowered by voice, and those who don't have it yet are constantly asking when they will be getting it."

Voice-assisted care provides financial benefits like increasing Medicare reimbursement and CMI, providing accurate, clean data and augmenting ADL scores. Clinically, voice provides the right care at the right time to the right person, and delivers positive user feedback from the CNAs. In terms of risk management, falls can be reduced, and liability issues are prevented using AccuNurse reminders and prompts.

"Voice is the most advanced care technology available today and Care Initiatives has set the bar for outcomes-driven care throughout its skilled nursing enterprise," said Maureen Ladouceur, Vice President of Clinical Solutions at Vocollect Healthcare Systems. "All of their facilities will benefit from real-time communication and documentation, and clinical solutions expertise from AccuNurse. Voice technology positions Care Initiatives to continue delivering clinical excellence and providing for the special needs of seniors throughout Iowa."

Care Initiatives announced in March 2011 that it was deploying AccuNurse voice technology in three of its 44 SNF locations. The implementation of AccuNurse will continue on a rolling basis across 35 more SNF locations in 2011 and 2012.

About AccuNurse

AccuNurse (www.accunurse.com and www.blog.accunurse.com) provides sound business guidance and data-driven clinical outcomes to long-term care's leading facilities. Through its CliniFusion model, which couples the depth and knowledge of senior clinical advisors with the power of voice technology, the company has taken a leadership role in preparing long-term care for 2014 reform, streamlining the work of the caregiver, and making substantial and lasting improvements to the performance of their facilities. This 'fused' approach to achieving clinical outcomes is what empowers AccuNurse to address problems no one else can. AccuNurse is part of Vocollect, a business unit of Intermec, Inc., and the global leader in delivering voice technology to mobile workers on six continents.

About Vocollect

Vocollect, a business unit of Intermec, Inc. (NYSE: IN), is the leader in creating and providing voice-centric solutions for mobile workers in distribution and warehouse environments worldwide.  The speech recognition software and extreme recognition accuracy of in-vocabulary speech helps customers achieve a higher level of business performance through voice.  Every day more than 300,000 workers worldwide use Vocollect's comprehensive voice solutions to distribute more than $3 billion in goods from distribution centers and warehouses to customer locations. A global team of over 2,000 supply chain reseller and channel partner experts supports Vocollect Voice offerings. Vocollect VoiceWorld Suite integrates with all major WMS and ERP systems, including solutions from SAP AG, and supports the industry's leading mobile computing devices. For more information, visit www.vocollect.com. 

About Intermec

Intermec Inc. (NYSE:IN) develops and integrates products, services and technologies that identify, track and manage supply chain assets and information. Core technologies include rugged mobile computing and data collection systems, bar code printers, label media, and RFID. The company's products and services are used by customers in many industries worldwide to improve the productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations. For more information about Intermec, visit www.intermec.com or call 800-347-2636.

Vocollect®, Vocollect Voice® and Vocollect VoiceWorld Suite™ are trademarks of Vocollect, Inc. AccuNurse® is a registered trademark of Vocollect Healthcare Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Vocollect Healthcare Systems, Inc.