Located in Simi Valley, California, Simi Valley Hospital is a 201-bed acute care facility. The Schedulon provides dual-functionality for the hospital, essentially acting as two devices in a single 1RU system: a sophisticated, networked, scheduled-audio player that plays sounds on a user-defined schedule; and a simple, on-demand audio file player that acts as a rugged, rackmount iPod with sounds 'hard-assigned' to knob positions for quick-predictable access.
At Simi Valley Hospital, both units are used to deliver music and announcements to various locations at specific times, including the main entrance. The systems provide an easy-to-manage user interface for uploading and scheduling files, eliminating the need for Simi Valley telecom and IT staff to fumble with CDs and traditional playback systems.
"The Schedulon provides a digital device that is simple to operate without mechanical parts, making it reliable and leaving little possibility for system failures," said Greg Eslinger, Telecom Department manager for Simi Valley Hospital and Adventist Health. "The ease of building a schedule and playing files on-demand are standout features, and its automated features reliably play audio as scheduled."
Eslinger uses one Schedulon to play soft music at the main entrance from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. The Schedulon plays a seven-minute loop of instrumental music to instill a soothing effect and de-stress visitors and patients as they enter the hospital.
The second system delivers music and announcements including information on visiting hours and daily prayers from the hospital chaplain to the Main Campus, North and South Patient Care Towers, North Campus plus other buildings.
(Jim Evans)
