SURREY, UK – With its recent release of new hospital hardware and software, JAOtech believes hospital patients and staff will have higher-quality access to the Internet, electronic medical records, and an array of education and entertainment tools.

In 2000, the UK's National Health Service initiated the "Patient Power Programme," mandating that patients have bedside access to information while receiving healthcare. JAOtech came together to form solutions tailored to meet this need. 

After researching the developing market of all-in-one touch screen computer stations, company leaders worked to design and distribute the Smart Terminal, a station tailored particularly for hospital patients and staff.

"The way we developed was quite unique; we looked specifically at this market and worked to assess what was truly needed in a hospital environment," said Warren Kressinger-Dunn, JAOtech CEO.

The Surrey-based company operates out of four global offices. With a new U.S. location in Trumbull, Conn., JAOtech is looking to meet the demands of the growing US market head-on with their range of Smart Terminals and accessories.

These include the recently released Arcos 9100 cabinet arms. By bolting securely to bedside cabinets, the arms dispel the need to mount screens on a ceiling or wall. Cables are kept orderly within the body of the arm, and the use of a gas spring and hinge allows for extensive vertical and horizontal motion.

The Arcos 8250 multimedia wallbox is also increasing accessibility by offering an aerial plug-in, game console connection, and an Ethernet link for patient PCs or tablets. The unit also offers connectivity options for hospital tools, like hand-held barcode scanners.

Working to be hospital-specific with the Inix LED TV

Throughout the creation process of products like the Arcos arms and wallbox, JAOtech considers its consumers. As Kressinger-Dunn explained. "All the developments we have for the future are really designed in parallel with healthcare teams."

This means waterproof screens, antibacterial materials, software that is energy-efficient and physician-functional, and audiobooks, games, television, healthcare information, and Internet access for patients.

Proof can be found in JAOtech's Inix LED TV with built-in computer, which was launched in Orlando, Fla., at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society's 2011 conference.
 
The 40-inch device provides clinical and entertainment services. With LED backlighting, it uses about half the power of a standard device.

Traditional devices found in hospitals are not necessarily environment-specific. This is where the Inix diverges.


"We took into account what was needed," said Kressinger-Dunn. "So we developed a product that can be cleaned by medical staff, has display technology based on LED backlighting instead of CCFL, and therefore is energy-saving and money-saving."

The reaction to technology like JAOtech's has been positive, says Kressinger-Dunn. "When members of our company come in to update services or to provide maintenance, the response from patients is often: 'You're not going to take that away, are you?'"