Case Study: Entergy achieves major Collective Radiation Exposure (CRE) reduction and faster outage communications with Stryker (Vocera)

Achieving Collective Radiation Exposure (CRE) reduction through Vocera

Entergy’s Indian Point plant faced the recurring challenge of reducing Collective Radiation Exposure (CRE) and improving real‑time communications during outages. Traditional radios and phones were bulky, had coverage dead spots, required hands‑on operation and couldn’t efficiently broadcast or route calls by function. The plant piloted a solution for the March 2012 outage (initially 150 badges, expanded to 210), showcased results to Entergy leadership, and the approach was later adopted as a fleet communications standard.

Entergy implemented Vocera, a lightweight, voice‑activated Wi‑Fi wearable system that supports individual, group and broadcast calls and routes contacts by function to create a virtual outage “war room.” The system improved communications, shortened RCA stay times, reduced manpower and pager traffic, and delivered measurable dose savings—1,766.8 mRem across tracked jobs—while operators and RP managers reported faster, clearer coordination and fewer workflow interruptions.

Entergy

Reid Tagliamonte

RPM, Entergy