We've had our Acuity System up and running for about 6 years and the beast is still breathing, thank God. Like Zach said, Unix is a software platform not familiar by most (me including). Our system was programmed by Welch Allyn when installed and has our Floor Layout (including pt. rooms, bathrooms etc.) as a map on the main screen. Our system displays everything the ProPaq has on its screen.... plus more (pt. name, age, med's etc.). The Acuity System can print out Trends, all parameters, alarms, and even connectivity if a machine (ProPaq) is unplugged form the CAT5 network (we don't have any wireless ProPaq's, just telemetry Micro-Paq's).
The Acuity can monitor a pt. 100's of feet away and the Nurse can control what she/he needs to see from the Nursing Station without the need to be in the room.
I should say, we did have a glitch with the software a few years back and the Unix software had some error message on the screen. Can't remember the error code but it had something to do with doing a CHKDSK (check disk) on the Hard Drive. The service guy at Welch Allyn walked me through the typing steps via phone (my typing was slow, I'm sure it drove the guy nuts). It was a very easy and quick fix, the service guy I spoke with over the phone really knew his Unix and Acuity stuff.
Our system has wireless telemetry (Micro Paq's) which really work well (two antenna placements down the hall), network printer, message panel.... all connected via CAT5 cable..... very very east to install.
It should be known (keep in mind), when installing a new system, ensure your Acuity Software Licencing Agreement has a few spare (empty slots) for new future ProPaq's because when you purchase a new ProPaq (with Acuity features enabled) your hospitals' Acuity System may not accept the new ProPaq due to the maximum allowed units attached to the system. We needed to purchase an upgrade to our Licencing Agreement, to add a few extra ProPaq's onto our system (new 202 units replacing the old 102el units). Another thing to know (keep in mind), simply removing the sticker which covers the CAT5 Acuity jack on the ProPaq doesn't make the ProPaq work with the Acuity Network. We found this out when our sales rep sent us the wrong 202 ProPaq unit (NOT Acuity Ready). I thought by just removing the sticker which exposed the CAT5 jack, the unit would work..... not. I needed to send the unit back to Welch Allyn to have it programmed (activating the jack with a "Programming Key" which they simply plug into the CAT5 jack???? not sure if this was true or if my sales guy was just blowing wind). They also needed some guy in the USA to phone into our system, via modem, and program the Serial Number of the new ProPaq into our Acuity computer. I didn't have to worry about programming and playing with wires, Welch Allyn did all the work, was quite easy on my part.
Hope this gives a bit of light on the Acuity System you are thinking about purchasing for your facility.
Cheers.
PS. If anyone knows how to Enable the CAT5 Acuity jack on a ProPaq which has its jack covered by the sticker, please let me/us know. Do I really need the programming key to enable the jack???
Chris
