Starting this week, patients’ loved ones and caregivers have a new way to stay updated while a loved one is in surgery. The Cooper Surgery Center at Voorhees now offers real-time text message updates to companions of patients who travel with them on the day of surgery. Using the latest technology from Epic and Televox, patient companions will receive an automatic notification when the patient enters a prep room, the procedure room, and the recovery area. Cooper team members can also notify companions via text when the patient is ready for visitors.
To protect patient privacy and preference, the patient must opt into this program and specify the recipients of update messages. Additionally, the system is configured to only send routine, positive updates to patient companions. Team members will never use a text message if a clinical situation is complex or requires a more detailed update.
Stay tuned for more information about the potential expansion of this program based on patient, caregiver, and team member feedback.