Ascom Myco unveiled as the first Android device for medical staff

Ascom Mycom smartphone

A company called Ascom unveiled what it claims to be the “first Android smart device designed for medical staff” with features that render nurses’ work easier. Called Ascom Myco, it comes in two versions – Wi-Fi only for use within the confines of a hospital and Wi-Fi/3G variant that enables calls and data traffic on the public mobile network outside the hospital or as back-up inside the hospital.

“Ascom Myco is a purpose-built smartphone for hospitals that reduces alarm fatigue by filtering alerts in such a way, that nurses only get notified of alarms triggered by their assigned patients. It is irrelevant whether the alarm was prompted by a patient or a monitoring device,” said Philippe Bosmans, Sales Manager of Ascom Belgium. “Nurses can use the phone functionality to either call the patient to find out what he or she needs or to forward or escalate the alarm. Based on Android open-source OS, Ascom Myco supports the integration of existing hospital apps such as access to patient health records at the bed side.”

As a device made to be primarily used in a hospital, Ascom Myco is hygienic and can be disinfected. Its clip allows it to be securely fastened onto care-givers’ coat pockets, hence permitting a single-hand usage.

Ascom will work with Nextel to put Myco in Belgian hospitals, which are said to be looking for enrichment of their communication means. And if that proves to be working, we’re sure that other places will get this smartphone (or some other with comparable features), as well.