January 22, 2015

Vanderbilt clinical workstations getting major upgrade

Clinical workstations throughout Vanderbilt University Medical Center will undergo an expansive upgrade early this year. Vanderbilt IT is entering into an operating lease with Dell Inc. to replace a significant number of clinical workstations located throughout VUMC’s hospitals and clinics.

Through its agreement with Dell, Vanderbilt is replacing a large number of clinical workstations throughout VUMC’s hospitals and clinics. (photo by Joe Howell)

Clinical workstations throughout Vanderbilt University Medical Center will undergo an expansive upgrade early this year. Vanderbilt IT is entering into an operating lease with Dell Inc. to replace a significant number of clinical workstations located throughout VUMC’s hospitals and clinics.

These workstations are used by physicians and nurses to run clinical applications for patient care. Beginning in late January, a team from VUIT will update computers, monitors and printers in most clinical areas over a five-month period. Once the upgrade is complete, clinical staff should see markedly faster performance and better reliability and will be utilizing higher quality monitors.

“This upgrade is in response to recent feedback about the need for newer and faster technology so that our physicians and nurses can continue to reduce time spent with administrative functions and have more time to interact directly with our patients,” said C. Wright Pinson, MBA, M.D., deputy vice chancellor for Health Affairs and CEO of the Vanderbilt Health System. “Not only will this technology enhance the care we provide, but it should also improve workplace satisfaction among our nurses, physicians and other providers.”

Under the lease agreement, Vanderbilt will receive 5,292 new desktop computers, 4,650 new 24-inch monitors and 330 new printers. All clinical workstations older than 24 months will be replaced with new systems which have been tested and accepted by the Clinical Workstation Desktop Engineering Team.

“The new equipment represents a significant step forward in technology and performance,” said John Manning Jr., Ph.D., MBA, associate vice chancellor for Health Affairs and chief administrative officer. “By moving to an operating lease model, the Medical Center will be able to regularly lifecycle its clinical workstation environment while maintaining a predictable and competitive rate of expenditure for new technology.

“Our nurses and physicians will be provided with a current, stable and supportable computing platform for delivering world-class care to our patients,” Manning said.

For more information regarding the update of machines and VUIT’s operating lease with Dell, please contact Andrew Hutchinson at andrew.hutchinson@vanderbilt.edu.