The Vocera Ease app allows families to stay connected during and after care by providing real-time updates as a patient goes through different steps of the treatment process. Our Tomorrow’s World Today Social Media Manager, Baylee, recently used the healthcare app and reported back to us regarding her experience.

The Ease app not only eliminates the need for the often disorganized family group message, but it also empowers patients and increases transparency by allowing them to receive updates directly from a care specialist.

“As a whole, it levels up old-fashioned methods. Group texts to check in still very much exist, but now we have updates to provide family and friends with instead of waiting for the prognosis at the end of surgery,” stated Baylee, Social Media Manager of Tomorrow’s World Today, who recently used the app.

Additionally, the app allows users to send secure messages using unlimited multilingual templates, photos, videos, and group video conferencing. Patients can also complete customized, real-time surveys, which allow care professionals to measure patient and family satisfaction.

“The Vocera Ease updates go a long way to alleviate loved ones’ anxieties. By receiving real-time messages from our care team members directly on their smartphones, family members no longer worry or risk missing an update from the care team,” stated Hope Johnson, DNP, MBA, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, Administrator of Perioperative Services at Lehigh Valley Health Network.

At hospitals that support using Ease, patients can download the app for free from Apple or Android. The app involves a short registration process during which the medical provider scans the Patient/Consenting Authority’s phone. Invited friends and family will receive an SMS text message inviting them to join Ease to receive updates.

“On the day of the surgery, a doctor showed the family member who would be waiting during the surgery a QR code. From there, it directed them to download the Ease app, and they checked in to receive updates securely throughout the surgery,” stated Baylee to Tomorrow’s World Today.

Baylee also stated that updates were kept at a very high level throughout the surgery process. Her family was also given a full overview of the process, and the HIPAA compliance reassured them that their health data was safe throughout the process.

Vocera Ease is just one of several healthcare programs by Stryker. Others include Vocera Edge, which connects clinicians’ workflow and communication, and Vocera Vina, which uses smart technology to rank clinical tasks by urgency.

“Overall, we enjoyed that [Ease] made the time feel like it went quicker and gave us the ‘ease’ of knowing that our family member was progressing successfully throughout the procedure. Sometimes, the waiting game is the hardest part while surgery is taking place.” stated Baylee.