Connexient LLC, known for its navigation-enable Enterprise Information Technology, recently launched its turn-by-turn indoor navigation and digital wayfinding application, the MediNav Navigator Edition 2.0., at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
No More Getting Lost in Hospital Corridors With New Tech
2 min read Premium comments
Secondary#hospitalcorridors#indoornavigation
According to a press release, the MediNav system not only provides detailed indoor maps, but also true turn-by-turn indoor navigation and location-based services that can help reduce missed or late appointments and improve operational efficiency.
Connexient’s MediNav is currently used in over 40 hospitals. It comes with “All Screens” support across Kiosk, Web and Mobile and includes features like Parking Planner and My Car location saver. MediNav automatically detects the user’s arrival in the garage and presents a customized welcome screen.
In addition My Car Saver prompts the user to save their parking location or it will automatically remember it for you and then provide one-touch option to navigate back to it after the visit is over.
“Enterprise Indoor Navigation and Digital Wayfinding can have a major positive impact for patients, visitors and staff alike at facilities of the size and complexity of Froedtert Hospital. The Froedtert & MCW health network is a leader among our clients in understanding and leveraging the value of MediNav to drive innovation,” Mark Green, Connexient CEO and Co-Founder said in the release.
Mike Anderes, president of Inception Health, the health network’s digital health arm, added, “MediNav’s digital app for smart phones will simplify wayfinding for patients and visitors from the moment they leave home until they arrive at their clinic appointment. Over time, as we fully integrate the technology with appointment scheduling and reminders, we expect to improve productivity and operational efficiency for our staff as well.”
David Chao, emerging technology principal of Inception Health told OTW that they found MediNav when searching for a solution to tackle their large campus situation. Working with other health systems, they took a Shark Tank style approach and narrowed down potential vendors to 30 to 8 and to 3. And MediNav was the one that stood out the most.
Chao said,” Connexient as a whole fit the mold for us because they specialize in primarily healthcare. We also appreciated the fact that MediNav was much more than just a wayfinding solution. It is a nice gateway to integrate in more services.”
Geoff Halstead, chief product officer, told OTW, “It is still early stage but responses have been fantastic so far. We are getting people to where they need to go and ultimately isn’t that what it is about?”
He explained that the key to the technology is Bluetooth Low Energy Beacons and handset sensor fusion technology.
“I kind of like to think of it as Google maps for the enterprise. The star is global navigation that allows you to navigate throughout the building but it has other patient focused features,” Halstead said.
He added that in the long term they plan on using the technology for facilities management and safety and security, not just patient services.
React:
Discussion
This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
Join the conversation
Orthopedic professionals are discussing this. Sign in and upgrade to read every comment and add your voice.