AV Solutions for Healthcare Facilities: An Overview

The healthcare industry has always been at the forefront of technological advancements. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for AV solutions in healthcare increased sharply. This article overviews audio-video solutions used in healthcare facilities today.

Video Conferencing

Video conferencing solutions have been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic started. And rightfully so: they literally became lifesavers. Doctors and other healthcare professionals could communicate with patients remotely, reducing the need for in-person consultations.

There are, of course, other ways of using video conferencing in healthcare. Doctors can use it to discuss patient cases, share expertise, and collaborate on treatment plans. Video conferencing tools are also widely used for remote training sessions to train staff on new procedures, techniques, or medical equipment.

Such sessions can be especially useful for healthcare professionals in remote areas or with limited access to traditional training programs.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine is closely similar to video conferencing since it uses the same equipment to connect a patient with a doctor, such as cameras, displays, and microphones. However, telemedicine can be considered the next step in video conferencing since it often uses cutting-edge hardware to allow a healthcare professional to perform remote examinations.

For instance, specialized telemedicine cameras are typically equipped with high-resolution lenses, sensors, and optical zoom. All these features are excessive for a normal video conferencing camera, but they are invaluable for collecting accurate patient information.

PA Systems

Public announcement systems are widely used in hospitals and clinics to make announcements, such as paging doctors and nurses to specific areas, alerting staff members to emergencies, or informing visitors about visiting hours and sharing other general information.

Another important role of PA systems is providing musical therapy. Relaxing music playing in waiting and treatment rooms can help reduce patient and visitor anxiety.

In nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, PA systems allow for providing daily schedules, reminders, and other important information to residents.

Digital Signage

Navigating large healthcare facilities can be quite tricky, and that’s where digital signage plays a vital role. Digital displays can show maps, floor plans, and directional arrows to help guide people to their destination. In some facilities, such systems are interactive and allow users to create custom routes to their destinations.

Another important task for digital signage systems is queue management. Displays provide updates to patients and visitors as they move through the queue.

Doctors also find use in digital signage screens as they can be a real-time source of important information such as alerts, schedules, and training opportunities.

Versatility is one of the main advantages of digital signage: the same screen can perform several tasks and display different types of content depending on current needs.

Interactive Whiteboards

Interactive whiteboards allow medical staff to collaborate on real-time patient care and treatment plans. They can display such information as patient data and medical images, helping doctors make informed patient care decisions.

Patient Entertainment Systems

A patient entertainment system provides entertainment and communication services to patients during their stay at healthcare establishments. Such systems are common in hospitals and long-term care facilities.

A user operates them with a remote control or a bedside touchscreen. Typical features of a patient entertainment system include television programming, streaming, games, and communication means for cases when a patient needs assistance.

Simulation and Training

As mentioned, AV plays a crucial part in educating healthcare professionals. Audiovisual recording systems are used to record medical procedures and techniques. Reviewing these records allows medical staff to evaluate their performance and identify areas for improvement.

Virtual reality systems help to create a realistic environment for doctors and nurses to practice and improve their skills. VR systems can simulate surgical procedures, medical emergencies, and other scenarios, providing medical staff with a lifelike experience.

Modernizing Healthcare with AV

It’s almost impossible to imagine a modern medical facility without AV equipment. It helps staff members and patients communicate, increases treatment effectiveness, and provides a more efficient and streamlined healthcare experience for everyone involved.

If your healthcare establishment’s AV equipment needs an update, contact us!