Vocantas president and CEO Gary Hannah has named Catherine Blum as director of customer relations. Blum joins head of U.S. operations Roger Shindell in bringing the CallAssure trade; service to home healthcare agencies, where improved patient safety is always a priority.

“There is a great opportunity for home healthcare agencies to improve the way they communicate with their patients,” says Shindell. “And improved communications can lead to a more efficient use of time, money and resources.”

Vocantas uses advanced computer telephony and speech technologies to automate routine telephone communications with interactive voice response (IVR) solutions. The patent-pending CallAssure service automatically calls patients by telephone to collect and deliver essential information in support of their individual care plan. Using clinically-proven technologies, the system monitors patients between healthcare visits. This increased communication not only improves patient clinical outcomes but also increases compliance.

As a current Illinois R.N. licensure with seven years in medical sales and two years in critical care nursing, Blum comes with clear insight into the home healthcare market. She sees the need for this amplified outreach to patients, especially among the senior population.

“Patients appreciate the direct link to their healthcare provider,” says Blum. “All they have to do is pick up the phone; then they can get on with enjoying their day. The check-up call gives patients an extra boost of assurance, and reinforces the messages that they receive from their healthcare providers.”

By ensuring that all data is tracked and all issues are flagged, the system optimizes patient care and minimizes secondary treatment costs, re-admissions and potential liability. Information collected in the call is placed directly into the patient’s electronic health record. Based on the patient’s responses, the system will automatically trigger an email alert to a doctor or request a follow-up call by a nurse. By keeping staff better-informed of their patients’ status, it helps them to effectively plan and manage their time.

“CallAssure also addresses the strain of a growing shortage of nurses. The system proactively monitors patients, so limited skilled resources can be put to best use,” says Shindell.

As part of the CallAssure service, home healthcare patients receive education materials, reminder cards, and notepads with brief simple instructions on how to use the system. The symptom-based questions are easy to answer, and no devices or setup is required in the home. Calls can be personalized for every patient.

Blum brings strong leadership and communication skills, refined over the last eight years in her role as a business owner. She is based out of the Vocantas Ltd. office located in Chicago.

About Vocantas

Vocantas is a Canadian company that has over a decade of experience developing IVR solutions for corporate and public-sector clients. Its products have particular application in the healthcare, education, and utilities environments where they have been proven to increase efficiencies while minimizing operational costs. The company's easy-to-use, turn-key solutions offer customizable core features and optional enhancements that integrate seamlessly with existing systems. For more information, please visit www.vocantas.com.