Frisbie Adopts iPhones for Point-of-Care Communication

ROCHESTER —
Nurses and other point-of-care workers at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N.H. will soon be using iPhones to improve their communication and increase efficiency, thanks to Voalté’s first-of-its-kind integrated communication solution.
The Voalté application consolidates voice, alarm and text on the versatile iPhone platform. The solution will enable the nurses and clinicians at Frisbie to send and receive presence-based text messages and make high definition voice calls across the hospital VoIP system, providing faster response to patient needs.
Frisbie’s selection of the Voalté solution was the result of a technology review and assessment that began more than one year ago.
“Antiquated communications solutions, such as voice-only devices, are no longer adequate in the hospital environment because both parties must be available in order to communicate,” said Sally Reeves, Frisbie’s Healthcare Project Director. “We evaluated all of these options and selected Voalté as the best solution to streamline our nurses’ needs.”
Frisbie Memorial is the first acute care hospital to implement the Voalté solution in the northeast and the fourth hospital in the country. The installation will be integrating to the hospital’s PBX and WiFi system thus leveraging existing infrastructure.
“Nurses are challenged with managing multiple patient requests, paperwork and other responsibilities,” said Trey Lauderdale, vice president of innovation at Voalté. “Oftentimes, performing their job successfully requires the ability to quickly communicate with other nurses, physicians and healthcare workers.”
“Innovative hospitals like Frisbie are recognizing the importance and value of smartphone technology and how it can improve patient care,” he said.
Photo caption: The Voalté application consolidates voice, alarm and text on the versatile iPhone platform. (www.voalte.com photo)

Seacoast Business Expo Taking Shape

STRAFFORD COUNTY —
The Seacoast Business Expo, the largest business networking event of the year. Formerly, known as the ‘Seacoast Schmooze,’ this event takes place on Thursday, October 21st from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Celestica Building on Pease Tradeport.
Each year this one-of-a-kind event brings together dozens of businesses and hundreds of contacts, giving all the opportunity to effectively connect with hundreds of potential business partners during the 3-hour event.
The Seacoast Business Expo is the first public event presented by the recently formed Seacoast Chamber Alliance that includes representation from the Dover, Exeter, Hampton, Portsmouth, Rochester and Somersworth Chambers and is designed to enhance membership value, to promote regional economic development, and to reduce expenses for the independent chambers by realizing economies of scale.
“We are excited to have the Alliance take center stage at the premier networking event on the Seacoast,” commented Portsmouth Chamber President Doug Bates. “Every year we see hundreds of people attend for an evening of networking and camaraderie. Business connections truly happen at the Seacoast Business Expo.”
Public Service of New Hampshire is the event underwriter, the event is sponsored by Daystar Computer Services, FairPoint Communications, Federal Savings Bank, Service Credit Union, Comcast Cable, D.F. Richard Energy and Unitil.
Exhibitor space is currently available for this event. Previous exhibiting local businesses have included including Infinite Imaging, Granite State College, DF Richard Energy, BayRing Communications, Staff Hunters, and William C. Huff Moving & Storage and the sponsor companies.
Partners include Clear Channel Communications and Gentle Giant Moving Company. Vital Design is the brand partner of the Seacoast Business Expo and the Seacoast Chamber Alliance and produced logos and collateral for the event.
A variety of local restaurants will provide hors d’oeuvres, and there will be a cash bar. Cost is $10 for pre-registered Chamber members, $15 at the door. To attend, register online at seacoastexpo.com.
Businesses interested in exhibiting are invited to contact Mike at the Exeter Area Chamber at 603/772-2411.
Photo caption: Seacoast Business Expo logo (Courtesy photo)

Jeffrey H. Taylor & Associates Recognized for Dover’s Form Based Code

CONCORD / DOVER —
Jeffrey H. Taylor & Associates was recognized recently during the Northern New England Chapter of the American Planning Association (NNECAPA) annual conference for its work with City of Dover, NH, on its Form Based Code. Dover is the first community in northern New England to adopt Form Based Code.
Form Based Code is a method of regulating land use that emphasizes community character and the public impact of development rather than exclusively focusing on building usage. A guiding principal behind the development of a Form Based Code is that buildings and physical alteration of land is more long lasting than the initial use for which a building is constructed.
Over the course of 18 months, Jeffrey H. Taylor & Associates led the collaborative project with the Dover City Planning staff and Architect Mike Lassel. The effort included extensive mapping and measuring of the downtown area, two design charettes, and ongoing public involvement. The Form Based Code was adopted in December 2009 and incorporated into the city’s zoning ordinance. Dover Planning Director Chris Parker was pleased with this effort. “Many consultants come into a community with pre-conceived solutions to local problems. Jeff Taylor and his team worked with us, listened to us, and collectively we created an exciting product that will serve Dover well for years.”
“Traditional zoning focuses on a building’s use rather than on its compatibility with its surroundings and most rezoning projects reinforce that way of thinking,” noted Jeff Taylor, President of Jeffrey H. Taylor & Associates. “The City of Dover demonstrated true vision by recognizing that they needed to promote the classic development characteristics found in its central business district. The Form Based Code will ensure that as development continues, those characteristics are reinforced and celebrated.”
Prior to receiving this regional award, The City of Dover also received the 2010 Project of the Year award for its Form Based Code work with Jeffrey H. Taylor and Associates by the New Hampshire Planners Association. For more information about the New Hampshire Planners Association visit www.nhplanners.org or about the Northern New England Chapter of the American Planning Association visit www.nnecapa.org.