Touch and Go technology enhances nursing care at County’s hospital

Pictured in front of the Omnicell cabinet in the Emergency Department at PECMH is Fran Renoy (centre) with registered nurses in the emergency room, Meribeth Edwards (left) and Nancey Lough. Briar Boyce photo

Nurses at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital now have more time to spend with patients thanks to those who supported the Hospital Foundation with donations in memory of the County’s Bill Renoy in May of 2016.

The Omnicell drug dispensing cabinet in the emergency department has been upgraded with a ‘Touch and Go Console’, which allows nursing staff access to the cabinet by placing their finger on a biometric reader. Before, nurses would have to enter a username and password into the system, which took about 20 seconds to input and could be easily forgotten or compromised.

With the new Touch and Go, nursing staff can access the Omnicell in the time it takes them to place their finger on the reader. The reader scans their fingerprint, which is stored in the system, and then grants access to the secure cabinet.

“These consoles have improved ease of access and security for dispensing medications and they have saved significant time throughout the day that nursing staff can spend with their patients,” said Karen H. Smith, BScP, HSM, director of Pharmacy at Quinte Health Care.

Two consoles were required for the County Hospital, one for the emergency department and one for the Inpatient Unit. Gifts received in memory of Bill Renoy, which totalled more than $3,700 covered the cost of the Touch and Go for the emergency department. The Touch and Go Console for the Inpatient Unit was purchased by Irena Barker.

“Bill and I were and are very passionate about our local hospital and realize how important it is to have state-of-the-art equipment for our staff,” said Fran Renoy, Bill’s wife.

Medical equipment is the reason for the Hospital Foundation’s LIFE SAVER II Campaign, which aims to replace equipment to the tune of $201,000 for the endoscopy and pharmacy departments of the hospital. The foundation is planning to announce the completion of this campaign in the coming weeks.

The foundation board of directors extend thanked Fran for designating the foundation as a recipient of gifts in memory of her husband, and extend thanks to all families who choose to support health care in Prince Edward County through the work of the County Hospital Foundation.