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Leading Edge Trend: Wireless Communication Options for Nurse Call Systems
by Brian Murphey
The wireless technology options available for today’s Nurse Call systems continue to evolve and are designed to help hospitals provide even better service for their patients.
Modern nurse call systems provide two-way voice communications between a patient and hospital staff. Typically, the patient presses a button on a hand-held device called a “pillow speaker” which initiates a call to the central nurse call station and allows the staff at the station to speak with the patient. They then contact the patient’s nurse to alert them that the patient needs assistance.
This type of system, while adequate, does have several limitations. Namely, the hospital must rely on an overhead paging system to locate nurses who may be helping other patients. The nurses must then report to the central nurse station to find out which patient needs assistance and why (HIPPA privacy requirements prevent patient information from being disclosed over a public address system). Also, an overhead paging system is not an ideal option during the evening because it can disturb patients who are asleep.
Wireless systems allow for more efficient handling of patient needs because each nurse is equipped with an alphanumeric pager or wireless phone with alphanumeric display, depending on the system. When a patient presses the pillow speaker button, they are transferred to the central station and the staff triages their request. The staff then presses the name of the appropriate caregiver on a touchscreen monitor and a page displaying the patient name, room number and priority level is automatically sent to the caregiver’s pager. With wireless phone integration, the call center can patch the patient through to the wireless phone and the patient can speak with the nurse immediately. If the nurse is occupied with another task, they may press a button on the pager or phone and a backup nurse or assistant will be contacted.
An added bonus with this type of system is that it will also monitor alarms from equipment in patient rooms. Should an alarm be triggered, an alert is automatically sent to the central station and to the nurse’s cell phone or pager. In emergency situations, timing can be vital to resolve serious issues, and these immediate notifications are crucial.
Overall, nurses prefer this type of wireless system because it allows for faster response times. In addition, it reduces the need to rely on an overhead intercom system allowing patients to rest with fewer interruptions.
For more information on wireless communications options for nurse call systems or hospitals in general, please contact EDI.
