Improving the quality of the nation’s well-being, the healthcare sector is being transformed by significant innovations in technology. The right technology solutions can promote collaboration to benefit the institution and ultimately the patient. Audiovisual innovations are shaping new practices to enable the sector to reduce costs, meet targets, and better meet the needs and expectations of their loyal patient base.
Express Scripts, a Fortune 100 company and the largest pharmacy benefit management organization in the United States, recently upgraded their communication technology throughout their corporate headquarters in St. Louis, MO, as well as hundreds of offices throughout the nation. The organization enlisted the design/build services of McCann Systems, a national technology solutions provider with a regional office just down the road.
“It was important for us to create a viable and future-proof solution for Express Scripts,” says Ken Newbury, Senior Vice President of Operations and Sales Executive of McCann Systems. “With efficient communications playing such a key role in the growth of this organization and the sector itself, reliable technology is a must.”
With the current state and the future of American healthcare in constant scrutiny, the cost of corporate enhancements was a major consideration. “It was important to keep in mind that the organization is at the forefront of one of the nation’s budgetary hot seats. We had to find the balance between cost and quality. Fortunately, we have the ability to execute these initiatives from concept to completion within McCann, which is a huge benefit to clients.” Newbury continues, “With a highly technical design and engineering team in-house along with a meticulous installation team, the process was seamless, saving on time and money.”
Internal Collaboration
Meeting Rooms of various sizes are deployed within every department for internal collaboration. Display sizes up to 80” are carefully selected to ensure that content from the dedicated Thin Client PC or auxiliary laptop connection is displayed clearly to the meeting’s participants. Simplistic source selection and volume control are provided by wall mounted Extron keypads.
A trending requirement for small collaborative video conference rooms was met by installing dual 32” LCDs tucked against ergonomic huddle tables. Far end video and local content is easily seen from any seat and the miniature HD camera and small form factor microphones associated with Cisco SX20 allows for a flawless technology experience.
Efficient Training
High-definition videoconferencing transforms the landscape of corporate training. The Express Scripts Training Center is a three-way divisible space designed to accommodate groups of various sizes. Each room features a 130” tab tension front projection screen paired with ceiling mounted Christie LW555 projectors for high visibility for all participants.
“Why have the majority of your training budget tied up in travel? We create interactive experiences to allow corporate administrators to train and update larger audiences across the country.” Newbury remarks. “These training sessions are just as engaging as if you were in the same room. The time and the money saved with virtual training goes right back into the profitability of the company. It goes back into the research, development, and community outreach where it belongs.”
Executive Decision Making
An organization of this magnitude makes life-changing decisions on a daily basis, and Executives from across the country easily weigh in using the latest in videoconferencing systems.
The Executive Conference Room was designed to accommodate the critical needs of the senior board members. High quality images are made visible from all sides of the table by dual 82” LCD displays and a centered 123” rear projection screen illuminated by a 10,000 lumen 3-Chip DLP Christie projector. Video and audio conference calls are conducted using a Biamp audio DSP and Cisco HD video conference system. Microphones with LED halo lights are integrated within the conference room table and high-fidelity loudspeakers are installed within the acoustically treated ceiling. Input sources include two dedicated room PCs, three hardwired laptop connections, satellite TV and ‘bring your own device’ wireless content sharing. All system functions, including video preview, shade and lighting controls are accessed from a 15” Crestron touch panel installed within a hydraulic lift at the head of the table. Field Services support members can also control the system in real time from a wi-fi based iPad.
Download the Express Scripts Conference PDF
