Smart phone technological advances include features such as FaceTime, taking and immediately sharing photos, and using social media outlets via the internet by simply using a cell phone.

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth is bringing this technology to a larger screen to enrich the patient and the patient's family's time spent in the hospital.

Beginning earlier this year and continuing for the next few months, NMCP Communications Department has been, and will continue to, upgrade bedside televisions on inpatient wards. According to Communications and Networking Manager Diana Delucia, the intent of the upgrade was to make a difference and improve the patient experience.

"These new, interactive televisions will allow patients to watch cable, access the internet, and use the built-in cameras," Delucia said. "All televisions will be hard wired to the commercial internet to allow for faster service which gives patients the opportunity to share good news, or to be supported during difficult times by family and friends."

With the new capabilities available, security for personal information was of the upmost importance.

"Every patient, or user, will be able to create their own login with a four-digit PIN," said Bobby Washington, NMCP telecommunications specialist.

When the profile is created, users have full access to the TVs, including watching Netflix, checking their email accounts, and even using Skype, an application that allows free face-to-face video chatting, which is especially important if family members live outside of the Hampton Roads area and cannot make it to the medical center.

"When the patient is done, they can simply log off," Washington said. "When a new profile is created, the previous one is completely wiped clean."

When preparing for the upgrade, the communications staff knew what capabilities they desired for the TVs. They chose the interactive TVs due to a previous experience with a patient that will forever stay with them. A patient, who happened to be a retired chief, was not able to see his son graduate as he was terminally ill at the medical center.

"He was nearing the end of his journey on Earth and was saddened by the fact that he would not see his son graduate from boot camp," Delucia said. "His doctor contacted the Communications Office requesting assistance, and all of us immediately got to work."

Although this was something the communications staff had never attempted before, the entire team jumped aboard working with NMCP staff and the local television stations at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

The night prior to the event, the team utilized commercial Wi-Fi equipment, reinstalled it in the patient's room and hospice room, and tested the equipment.

"The next day was like a gift to all involved," Delucia said. "Dr. Daly ensured the hospice room was decorated with balloons, ribbons, banners - the works! The Galley provided refreshments for the immediate family and Communications provided technology."

Delucia added, "When the patient was wheeled in and set in front of the 50-inch monitor to watch the ceremony, he just cried. He was so very thankful and was able to stay sitting up long enough to watch his son parade by, and then was taken back to bed."

From his bedside, a small monitor had been set up to allow the patient and his son to speak after the ceremony.

"The tears flowed from all those involved. A life moment that probably happens all too often around NMCP but is never shared with the masses," Delucia said. "It is not often that technical and administrative staffs behind the scenes are able to actively participate in providing care for patients at NMCP but when we do, it is a blessing and an experience remembered forever."

For more news from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, visit www.navy.mil/.