Winn Army Community Hospital

An intelligent communications solution by Avaya and Interactive Northwest

Winn Army Community Hospital (WACH) is located at Fort Stewart, Ga., and opened in 1983. The four- story facility was named after Brigadier General Dean F. Winn, a U.S. Army Medical Corps Orthopedic surgeon whose career spanned the years from 1914 to 1948. Winn commanded four Army hospitals during his distinctive career. For more information, visit www.winn.amedd.army.mil.

Challenge

WACH wanted to improve the communication services delivered to soldiers, retirees and their families. The hospital had been using an older self-service Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform. Callers had difficulty distinguishing which department or location they needed for services, resulting in additional manpower needs of the hospital staff. The hospital was also looking for efficiencies in providing information to callers and call center staff. In addition, WACH was seeking automated call routing capabilities to connect patients to the right organization in the shortest time and with the least amount of effort; better responsiveness to messages by implementing an application that automatically returns calls at the appropriate time; enhanced automated access to information by providing an enhanced lab test results application; and shortened call durations and improve patient satisfaction by implementing “screen pops” of the Patient Record screens.

Solution

The converged solution implemented at WACH to address its business challenges combined Avaya Interactive Response, Application Enablement Services (AES) and Dialog Designer with INI’s self- service solutions, including INI SureConnect™, INI CTInsight™ and Lab Test Results applications. INI SureConnect™ application provides callers the option of scheduling a callback rather than remaining on hold, providing efficiencies for the call center and convenience for callers. INI CTInsight™ application retrieves and routes records from the hospital database and delivers them to the call center agent’s screen along with the call. INI Lab Test Results application delivers results quickly, 24/7, ensures privacy, and reduces the need for staff assistance to provide results.

Results

▶Shorter hold times. Patients calling to make an appointment at the hospital or one of its clinics no longer have to remain on hold to keep their place in queue if the department they need to reach is busy. They can schedule a callback – either as soon as someone is available or at a specific time of day – without losing their place in line. Their call is handled in the same order it would have been had they remained on the phone.

▶Providing faster, more efficient call handling and access to information for patients and operators. WACH is expanding its use of its Avaya Interactive Response system to deliver lab test results quickly and securely. Patients simply call in at their convenience, enter a personal lab ID number and have their test results read to them via text-to-speech technology. For those callers who need operator assistance, patient information is delivered to the operator’s PC screen along with the call. Avaya contact center applications integrated with INI’s CTInsight™ application retrieve and route records from the hospital database. As a result, calls can be handled more promptly and patients don’t have to repeat information.

▶Using technology to improve customer service. For quality control and staff training purposes, the hospital is now able to record calls and examine how well the calls are handled. That means improvements can be made over time in the service the hospital delivers. The new capability is based on IP telephony call recording software from Witness Actionable Solutions, a division of Verint Systems Inc.

▶Connecting calls to the right department. The INI applications used by the hospital employ the latest speech recognition technology from Nuance Communications (NASDAQ: NUAN) to enable callers to use natural language commands to connect to the right department or clinic. As the application is fine-tuned for local speech patterns, it can ask simple questions and interact with Avaya IP telephony software to route calls based on the answers provided. If the system doesn’t understand a response, it simply asks questions in order to clarify. Callers don’t have to wait for an operator, and no human intervention is required.

2 specifications

Avaya 2 is an advanced communications solution renowned for its robust features and adaptability, catering to businesses of all sizes. It is part of Avaya's strategic focus on delivering unified communications and contact center solutions that emphasize efficiency, collaboration, and customer satisfaction.

One of the main features of Avaya 2 is its seamless integration with a variety of communication tools. This includes voice, video, messaging, and conferencing capabilities that empower organizations to connect with employees and customers effortlessly. The system supports both on-premises and cloud deployment, allowing businesses to choose an infrastructure that aligns with their operational strategy.

Avaya 2 leverages cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance user experience. These technologies streamline processes by automating routine tasks and providing insights through data analytics. For instance, AI-driven chatbots can handle customer inquiries, freeing human agents to focus on more complex tasks, ultimately improving response times and customer satisfaction.

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Security is a top priority for Avaya 2. The solution incorporates advanced security measures including encryption, authentication protocols, and compliance with industry standards to protect sensitive data. This is especially crucial for organizations handling proprietary information or customer data, as it mitigates the risk of breaches and builds trust with clients.

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Overall, Avaya 2 stands out in the crowded field of communication solutions due to its unique blend of features, state-of-the-art technology, and emphasis on security and customization. It serves as a reliable platform for businesses looking to enhance communication efficiency, improve collaboration, and elevate customer satisfaction in an increasingly digital world.