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  • Episode 26: The Future of Healthcare Communication: Integration, Analytics, and Customization

    Episode 26: The Future of Healthcare Communication: Integration, Analytics, and Customization
    Jan 13 2026
    Podcast Episode Summary In this episode of CarePoints, host Kenny Schiff sits down with Gina Brody, Principal Product Manager at Rauland, and Tessa McAuley, Clinical Solutions Specialist at Lone Star Communications, to discuss the evolving landscape of hospital safety and communication. They explore pressing challenges like active shooter threats, workplace violence, and delayed Code Blue response times—and how technology is stepping up to meet these demands. From automation and system integration to RTLS badges and real-time analytics, Gina and Tessa share insights on creating smarter workflows that protect both patients and staff. This Episode's Guest: Gina Brody is the Principal Product Manager at Rauland, where she has spent the past decade shaping innovative healthcare communication solutions. With extensive experience in healthcare software, Gina is a recognized subject matter expert and thought leader in patient and staff safety technologies. Her work focuses on integrating systems, customizing workflows, and driving product strategies that improve outcomes in acute care environments. Connect: LinkedIn Tessa McAuley is a Clinical Solutions Specialist at Lone Star Communications, bringing deep technical expertise in Rauland's Responder systems. A former Rauland employee, Tessa now works as part of Lone Star's 17-member clinical team, supporting implementations and service for healthcare facilities nationwide. She collaborates closely with hospitals to optimize workflows, enhance emergency response, and leverage technology for safer, more efficient care delivery. Connect: LinkedIn Key Takeaways Automation reduces delays in emergency response by eliminating manual steps and ensuring the right team is notified instantly during Code Blue and other critical events. Integration is essential for hospital safety, connecting nurse call systems, overhead paging, and duress alerts into a unified workflow that improves communication and outcomes. RTLS technology enhances staff protection and efficiency, enabling real-time location tracking, automatic call cancellation, and wearable duress buttons for immediate assistance. Customization drives better workflows, allowing hospitals to tailor alerts, escalation paths, and communication protocols to their unique environment and patient care needs. Analytics and reporting close the loop on safety, providing actionable insights into response times, resource allocation, and process gaps for continuous improvement. Leveraging existing infrastructure saves cost and accelerates adoption, enabling hospitals to upgrade safety systems without full-scale replacements. Connect with Lone Star Communications ☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn. ☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at info@lonestarcom.com. CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 33 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation.
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    35 Min.
  • Episode 25: How Nursing Informatics and Alarm Management Reduce Fatigue and Improve Patient Outcomes

    Episode 25: How Nursing Informatics and Alarm Management Reduce Fatigue and Improve Patient Outcomes
    Dec 19 2025
    Podcast Episode Summary In this CarePoints episode, host Kenny Schiff talks with Amy Clodfelter, Health Informatics Strategy & Solutions Leader at McLeod Health, about tackling alarm fatigue in hospitals. Amy shares her experience with alarm management, bed exit alerts, and the impact of nuisance alarms on patient safety and nursing workflows. They discuss real-world strategies, data-driven interventions, and socio-technical factors that shape sustainable improvements. This conversation offers practical insights for healthcare leaders, nurses, and informatics professionals focused on safer, more efficient care. This Episode's Guests Amy Clodfelter Amy Clodfelter is a healthcare leader with over 25 years of nursing experience and 15 years in informatics. She holds a doctorate in Health Informatics and currently serves as Health Informatics Strategy & Solutions Leader at McLeod Health, where she drives telehealth, alarm management, and workflow optimization. Her work focuses on reducing alarm fatigue, improving patient safety, and implementing data-driven interventions that maintain fall prevention while minimizing nuisance alerts. Clodfelter, Amy D. "Improving Alarm Management Practices." CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 28 May 2025, https://doi.org/10.1097/cin.0000000000001324. Improving Alarm Management Practices Wireless Bed Exit Alerts on Medical-Surgical Units: https://journals.lww.com/cinjournal/fulltext/2025/08000/improving_alarm_management_practices__wireless_bed.6.aspx Connect: LinkedIn Key Takeaways Frequent, non-actionable alerts overwhelm clinicians, slowing response times, and risking missed critical events. Nuisance alarms, false positives, and generic thresholds are major contributors. Effective strategies require thoughtful workflow design, targeted escalation for bed exit alerts, and socio-technical approaches that consider people, processes, policies, and technology. Collecting and analyzing alarm data enables informed changes without compromising safety. Success depends on frontline engagement, governance, and executive sponsorship for sustainable improvements. Emerging technologies like AI, predictive analytics, and telehealth promise smarter alarm customization and extended practices for remote patient care. Connect with Lone Star Communications ☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn. ☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at info@lonestarcom.com. CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 33 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation.
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    41 Min.
  • Episode 24: The Complete Guide to Healthcare Technology Success: Vendor Trust, Workflow Innovation, and Leadership

    Episode 24: The Complete Guide to Healthcare Technology Success: Vendor Trust, Workflow Innovation, and Leadership
    Dec 9 2025
    Podcast Episode Summary This episode of CarePoints explores what makes healthcare technology adoption successful, and it's not just the tech. Host Kenny Schiff and guest George Weldon Jr. discuss how authentic relationships, stakeholder engagement, and outcome-focused strategies create lasting impact. From building trust with vendors to navigating procurement and IT hurdles, they share practical advice for vendors and leadership insights for healthcare executives. If you want to improve patient care, reduce workflow friction, and foster long-term partnerships, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways. This Episode's Guest George Weldon Jr Former Vice President of Operations at Westchester Medical Center Health Network. George Weldon Jr. is a transformational healthcare leader with nearly 20 years of experience, including 15 years in leadership roles. His career spans analytics, innovative technologies, and enterprise-level operations, reflecting a unique blend of clinical insight, technical fluency, and strategic vision. George has led multi-site health systems, acute care hospitals, and technology-driven environments through cultural evolution, operational turnarounds, and major capital projects—always with a focus on patient- and people-centered outcomes. Known for pairing precision with empathy, he has driven measurable improvements in quality, efficiency, and financial performance while fostering collaboration across clinical, IT, and operational teams. Connect: LinkedIn Key Takeaways Healthcare organizations prioritize measurable improvements in patient care, safety, and efficiency, not flashy features. Vendors must clearly demonstrate the value and impact of their solutions. Successful technology implementation starts with trust and authentic engagement. Vendors who listen, build coalitions, and understand organizational goals outperform those focused only on transactions. Leaders must observe team dynamics, include diverse stakeholders, and foster collaboration to ensure smooth adoption and cultural alignment. Vendors who spend time understanding real workflows and pain points earn trust and design better solutions, an often-overlooked strategy for long-term success. Post-implementation, regular check-ins and governance meetings with vendor partners are essential to optimize workflows, track KPIs, and maintain momentum. Connect with Lone Star Communications ☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn. ☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at info@lonestarcom.com. CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 33 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation.
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    44 Min.
  • Episode 26: Workplace Safety in Healthcare: How RTLS Protects Nurses & Patients

    Episode 26: Workplace Safety in Healthcare: How RTLS Protects Nurses & Patients
    Nov 21 2025
    Podcast Episode Summary In this CarePoints Podcast episode, host Kenny Schiff sits down with Allen Foucht, BSN, RN, CLSSMBB, Senior Engagement Consultant at Midmark Consulting, to discuss the critical role of Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) in modern healthcare. Drawing from Allen's nursing background and frontline experience, the conversation explores how RTLS has evolved from asset tracking to a must-have solution for staff safety, duress alerts, and workflow optimization. They delve into how Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and hybrid RTLS technologies are reducing costs, enhancing adoption, and creating safer environments for both patients and caregivers. The episode highlights why facility-wide duress systems are no longer optional in addressing workplace violence and ensuring nurse well-being. This Episode's Guests Allen Foucht, BSN, RN, CLSSMBB Allen Foucht is a seasoned healthcare professional and Senior Engagement Consultant at Midmark Consulting. Before moving into consulting, he served as an RN in high-pressure environments, including the emergency room and ICU, where he gained first-hand experience with clinical workflow, patient transport, and frontline safety challenges. At Midmark, Foucht helps hospitals and health systems implement Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) that go beyond simple asset tracking, designing solutions that support staff duress, improve workflow efficiency, enhance safety, and elevate patient care. His expertise is rooted in both the practical realities that nurses face and the evolving RTLS technologies, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and hybrid sensor platforms. Foucht is passionate about helping institutions adopt RTLS with full facility coverage—so staff feel protected everywhere in the hospital. He believes in deploying technology in ways that are intuitive for caregivers, driving adoption, and enabling safer environments for everyone. Connect: LinkedIn Key Takeaways Workplace violence in healthcare is rising, making staff safety and duress systems essential. RTLS has evolved from asset tracking to a critical tool for staff safety, workflow efficiency, and patient care. Facility-wide RTLS coverage is vital—partial deployments erode trust and leave staff vulnerable. BLE and hybrid RTLS technologies reduce costs, speed deployment, and improve precision. Adoption depends on ease of use and addressing privacy concerns by focusing on workflow benefits. Connect with Lone Star Communications ☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn. ☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at info@lonestarcom.com. CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 33 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation.
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    27 Min.
  • Episode 22: Safety Without Slip-Ups: Rauland's Telecenter is Revolutionizing Emergency Communication Systems

    Episode 22: Safety Without Slip-Ups: Rauland's Telecenter is Revolutionizing Emergency Communication Systems
    Nov 3 2025
    In this episode of CarePoints, host Kenny Schiff speaks with Rob Gorelik, Senior Product Manager at Rauland, about the company's legacy and innovation in education and healthcare communications. Rob shares his experience leading the development of Telecenter, a platform widely used in schools and increasingly in hospitals. The conversation explores Rauland's evolution from its early days in radio to becoming a leader in safety and communication technology, with a strong focus on enhancing security in learning environments. This Episode's Guests Rob Gorelik Senior Product Manager at Rauland Robert Gorelik is a Senior Product Manager with over 11 years at Rauland, where he leads the development and lifecycle management of Telecenter — cutting-edge solutions designed to improve school safety. His work spans product innovation, customer application support, and strategic sales enablement. With a deep understanding of the K–12 landscape, Robert is committed to delivering technology that helps schools create safer, more secure learning environments. Connect: LinkedIn Key Takeaways Rauland's Telecenter platform, originally designed for schools, is now being explored for use in hospitals, highlighting how communication technologies can be adapted across sectors to improve safety and coordination With over 80 years in the industry, Rauland's evolution from radio manufacturing to modern communication systems shows how long-standing companies can stay relevant by continuously innovating to meet current challenges. School and hospital safety are top-of-mind concerns, and Rauland's focus on integrated communication systems directly supports emergency preparedness and real-time response capabilities. Managing a product's full lifecycle, from development to deployment, is extremely important. Ensuring that solutions remain aligned with user needs and technological advancements. Rauland's success is rooted in understanding the unique needs of educators and healthcare providers, reinforcing the value of designing technology with direct input from end users. Connect with Lone Star Communications ☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn. ☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at info@lonestarcom.com. CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 33 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation.
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    34 Min.
  • Episode 21: What Hospitals Really Want from Their Vendors

    Episode 21: What Hospitals Really Want from Their Vendors
    Aug 27 2025
    In this episode of CarePoints, Bill Mundt, Deputy CIO of University Health in San Antonio, shares what makes healthcare IT partnerships succeed. He emphasizes that trust, transparency, and responsiveness are essential to building lasting relationships with hospitals. Cybersecurity remains a top concern, as leaders balance innovation with the risks of ransomware and other threats. Mundt stresses that vendors must provide not only technology but also expertise and accountability. At the core of every partnership is patient care, and the best vendors never lose sight of that mission. This Episode's Guest Bill Mundt Bill Mundt is the Deputy Chief Information Officer at University Health in San Antonio, where he leads strategic initiatives that align technology with the mission of advancing patient care. With more than 37 years of IT leadership experience across both military and civilian operations, he has deep expertise in healthcare IT, enterprise infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Known for his crisis management skills and pragmatic problem-solving approach, Bill has overseen the implementation of complex technology solutions that improve organizational efficiency and clinical outcomes. He is recognized for fostering strong vendor partnerships built on trust, transparency, and long-term reliability. At the core of his leadership philosophy is a commitment to ensuring that every technical decision supports the clinicians, staff, and patients who depend on University Health. Connect: LinkedIn Key Takeaways Once trust is broken, it's nearly impossible to repair, making transparency and reliability critical for long-term partnerships. Hospitals need vendors who bring strong service teams, not just polished sales pitches, to build credibility with clinicians and leadership. New solutions must balance innovation with rigorous security standards to protect patients, staff, and hospital systems. Quick, clear communication from vendors strengthens trust and ensures alignment in fast-paced healthcare environments. Every IT decision affects clinicians and patients directly, meaning the best vendors act as true partners in delivering safer, more effective care. Connect with Lone Star Communications ☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn. ☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at info@lonestarcom.com. CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 33 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation.
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    1 Std.
  • Episode 20: Empowering Employees - The Future of Lone Star Communications

    Episode 20: Empowering Employees - The Future of Lone Star Communications
    Aug 14 2025
    In this episode of CarePoints, host Kenny Schiff sits down with Lone Star Communications founder and CEO, Ray Bailey, to explore the company's future following its transition to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). From longtime employees who've been part of the journey since day one, to strategic decisions and Bailey's personal mission, discover what truly sets Lone Star apart as a leader in the industry. This Episode's Guests Ray Bailey Ray Bailey, founder and CEO of Lone Star Communications, brings decades of experience in healthcare communications to the company's foundation. Before launching Lone Star in 1991, Bailey spent five years as a district manager at Rauland, a leading provider of integrated communication and safety solutions for healthcare and education. Thirty-four years ago, Bailey drafted the mission statement that continues to be Lone Star's guiding light: "We will deliver the right products to our customers on time, the first time, every time, with no exceptions." He has served on the board of directors for the National Systems Contractors Association since 2003 and is an accomplished pilot, having flown over 200 Angel flights. Connect: LinkedIn Key Takeaways Lone Star Communications is now proudly employee-owned through an ESOP. This transformative move gives employees a direct stake in the company's success and helps preserve its leadership and values for the long term. Lone Star has grown into a trusted industry leader with 285 employees. It continues to make a meaningful impact across healthcare, education, and commercial industries by focusing on safety, communication, and service. Employee empowerment is central to Lone Star's culture and future. Through smart management and technology, the company fosters leadership at every level and ensures employees can make a real impact—and benefit from it. Rather than being acquired, Lone Star chose to expand strategically on its own terms. With multiple acquisitions and a focus on schools and hospitals, the company is poised to double in size and grow its national influence in the coming decade. Connect with Lone Star Communications ☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn. ☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at info@lonestarcom.com. CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 33 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation.
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    34 Min.
  • Episode 19: Future of Healthcare Technology: Balancing Needs, Wants, and Data

    Episode 19: Future of Healthcare Technology: Balancing Needs, Wants, and Data
    Jul 11 2025

    In this episode of CarePoints, Kenny Schiff sits down with healthcare technology leader, Steve Tyler, to discuss why less is more when it comes to clinical communication tools. Learn how aligning technology with real clinician workflows—not just adding more features—can reduce alert fatigue, improve staff efficiency, and enhance patient safety. From the importance of user-centered design to the role of AI and data integration, this episode breaks down what it takes to build healthcare technology that truly supports care teams and drives better outcomes.

    This Episode's Guests

    Steve Tyler

    Formerly CTO at Vocera and Extension Healthcare, and VP at TigerConnect, Tyler specializes in building scalable, user-centered tools that support clinicians and improve care delivery. Passionate about aligning technology with real-world needs, Steve helps organizations design solutions that make healthcare safer, smarter, and more efficient.

    Connect: Website

    Key Takeaways

    1. Effective healthcare technology should align with clinician workflows, not just add more features—tools must reduce burden and improve patient outcomes.

    2. Feature overload is often fear-driven, leading to unnecessary alerts and inefficiency; instead, solutions should be based on real problems and situational awareness.

    3. Strong infrastructure is essential, as reliable networks and seamless integration form the foundation for successful clinical tools.

    4. User-centered design and product integrity are key, ensuring solutions are built with direct clinician input and only include features that truly add value.

    5. AI and data tools hold promise, but must be thoughtfully integrated to support—not replace—clinicians, relying on high-quality data and real-world testing to be effective.

    Connect with Lone Star Communications

    ☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn.

    ☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at info@lonestarcom.com.

    CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 33 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation.
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    49 Min.