We have all seen the typical hospital ad on television. Stringed instruments play something soothing while a baritone voice over uses words like "healing hands" or "caring hearts." Or maybe there is an everyman who talks about how this or that hospital saved his life. Chances are that if you ask someone in your market, they will remember the ad. But ask them what hospital is being advertised, and they won't have a clue.

In advertising, marketing and public relations, the phenomenon of the times is "clutter," and healthcare providers are no different. So many providers use the same toolbox of messages that consumers learn their only defense: tune the messages out. And don't forget that in providing healthcare, the message is not necessarily one that people want to hear in the first place.

Disaster planning is a major concern among healthcare organizations today. Many healthcare providers have disaster plans, but lack effective ways to communicate information to consumers and staff. When disaster strikes, the first thing most people do is pick up the phone. Therefore, it is imperative that healthcare providers inform and educate callers via hot lines and on hold communications.

Vericom is ready to meet your communications needs with messages and hot lines for a wide variety of emergency situations, including storms, wildfires, health epidemics, drug recalls, etc. To assist you in communicating vital information to your communities during an emergency, Vericom provides:

• Pre-developed messages for a variety of emergency situations
• Custom emergency communications programs
• Proactive notification and solutions for clients facing impending crises
• Professionally produced "Hot Lines"
• 24/7 support available
• Fast turn-around for emergency updates to your program
• SoundView interviews with hospital administrators and authorities