Nurse call systems are an essential part of any ward and play an integral role as the primary method of communication between staff and patients. In most medical settings, a nurse call system is required as part of the code of practice, so ensuring you install the right one can help meet legal obligations too.
The State of Nurse Call Systems
The UK has long been synonymous with second to none medical care and most of us would admit that the NHS service we receive is one of the best in the world. However, the long establishment of our medical service can have its drawbacks too. Many older hospitals contain a large number of different communication tools, some of which are more than a little outdated. Meanwhile, most of the top manufacturers of communication aids seem to focus on the present needs of nurses and patients, without thinking about how the product they make today will be adapted tomorrow.
A Simple choice for Clear Communication
If you are a medical professional with responsibility for furnishing wards, then there is one clear and simple choice to make when it comes to picking nurse call systems – wireless is the only way to go. Today’s wireless nurse call systems utilise the latest technology, are quick and easy to install and entirely portable – which means they’re ideal if you need to fit a system in a temporary ward or furnish a large space.
Evolutionary Technology
Today’s best wireless nurse call systems utilise the most up to date wireless technology to combine a number of different purposes. All basic nurse call systems will have functions for signalling, calling and communication between staff and patients, but it’s also possible to include added extras within your system such as the following:
Telephones
Wireless nurse call systems can be integrated with all types of mobile phone, wireless phone or pager so everyone on the system is connected through a single extension. This allows staff to communicate directly without the need to go through an intermediary. It also reduces noise levels in wards by eliminating overhead paging.
Fire Alarms
Nurse call systems can be integrated with fire alarms in patient’s rooms so it’s not necessary to incorporate a duplicate annunciator as required by some fire codes.
Equipment Alarms
A dry contact closure can be used to activate an alarm when equipment such as IVAC or Intravenous Alarm Control Pumps are not functioning correctly, which is then fed through the nurse call system.
Locator Systems
RFID or Radio Frequency Identification technology can be utilised to keep track of staff and equipment throughout a medical establishment allowing for activity in the hospital to be closely monitored at all times.
Management Reports
High quality wireless nurse call systems will collate and store information which can be used to create reports that inform future best practice. For example nurse call systems can be used to track nurse response times and provide tools that allow administrative staff to assign nurses and find appropriate wars for patients.
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John Hinds writes for Lojix. His interests include blogging, reading, playing tennis, listening to music and traveling.