Technology is playing an ever more important role in the hospital environment in the drive to improve care standards and the patient experience.

Nurse call systems have always played an important role, which is becoming more vital in light of the trend in the acute sector towards single bedded rooms.

For many years, the ubiquitous nurse call button has been found at the head of every bed in the acute setting – allowing patients to alert a nurse or other health care staff member remotely of their need for help. However, advances in communication technology now allow these traditionally simple devices to offer far more than was previously possible. Consequently, hospitals need to be aware of all the advantages that state-of-the-art nurse call technology can offer when looking at installing a new system.

Continue reading→

Nurse call systems are vital for healthcare providers, and technology has moved nurse call from being a simple call system between patient and nurse to a fully integrated information, voice and entertainment platform, which enables integration with a number of wider hospital services.

But without proper consideration, maintenance of such nurse call systems can be inefficient and costly, not only through the financial expenses but also the impact a non-functioning nurse call system could have on patients and staff alike.

Continue reading→

The UK Government regularly publishes Health Technical Memorandums (HTMs), with the aim of providing advice and guidance on the design, installation and operation of specialised building and engineering technology used in the delivery of healthcare.

One such HTM, HTM 08-03 governs all hospital bedhead services, including the provision of nurse call systems, so all nurse call products marketed in the UK are required to comply with this.

However, while HTM-08-03 was developed to show what good working practice looks like with regards to the management of nurse call systems, it was written over a decade ago.

With technology advancing ever quicker, what does the guidance issued at publication mean for those looking to upgrade or purchase nurse call systems in the current environment?

Continue reading→

At the latest IHEEM Healthcare Estates Expo and Awards VIP delegates were greeted by the Wandsworth Healthcare team, in the VIP Lounge as part of Wandsworth’s commitment to high levels of customer service and satisfaction on its new IPiN nursecall systems.

IHEEM VIPs talk about trends for the future of nurse call

The Wandsworth sponsored VIP area at IHEEM

Over 360 hand picked VIPs came to relax, get free drinks and chill out areas and to discuss future nurse call system projects.

The trends we picked up at the event included particular interest in hospital alert systems and mobile applications for nurse communications as well as a commitment to using wired systems for reliability and ensuring that all systems meet the strict HTM compliance regulations. Furthermore, IHEEM members discussed the need to show successful implementation of IP nurse call citing Wandsworth’s unique previous success in doing this at both the Walton Centre Trust and South Tyneside Hospital.
Continue reading→

We are delighted to be sponsoring the VIP programme at this year’s Healthcare Estates Exhibition and IHEEM conference.

This year, VIPs will be greeted with a delegate bag upon arrival to the conference, while our team will be on hand within the Wandsworth sponsored VIP area over the 2 days of the exhibition to discuss and offer advice on any up-coming projects.
Continue reading→

There are two different kinds of disabled call system available to owners and users of commercial buildings. While their functionality and purposes may differ at their core they both provide assurance and assistance to disabled members of the public and facility owners.

Disabled toilet call systems

These disabled persons call systems are found in toilet and bathroom facilities throughout commercial buildings or workplaces. These are pull-chord systems typically found in hotels and restaurants, supermarkets, healthcare facilities and office buildings. Much like nurse call systems, disabled person’s call systems are incredibly easy to install and can be integrated into existing 3^rd party software.
Continue reading→

Those responsible for designing, building and running healthcare institutions are ruled by competing considerations that can often seem difficult to reconcile: offering the very best in patient care while delivering value for money and the efficient use of resources. They seek to commission services and solutions that offer value for money, resulting in lower lifetime running costs while enabling staff to deliver improved patient care.

A well-designed, well-built and well-maintained nurse call and communications system is an integral part of any healthcare facility, helping staff work effectively, while maximising the treatment and wellbeing of patients.

But selecting the right nurse call and communications solution can often be complicated, with several different manufacturers, models and types of system to choose from. To make sure you select a nurse call and communications system that is not only HTM 08-03 compliant but also delivers outstanding patient care, think PATIENT.
Continue reading→

How IP based systems are meeting patient and staff needs in the 21st century

Market demands mean nurse call systems are rapidly evolving for the 21st century.

These demands encompass a number of areas, such as an increasing need for centralised administration and reporting, in addition to a higher level of integration with 3rd party products. Although current HTM 08-03 guidelines do not cover the technology that is required to accommodate these new demands, it is now generally accepted that IP based nurse call systems offer hospitals and care trusts future proofing and the long term cost benefits associated with it, while also providing an improved experience for both staff and patients.

As they can be modularly installed, IP nurse call systems protect investment and allow clients to expand their system without the need to purchase an entirely new one. Such systems have the ability to link directly to other equipment and services in order to improve patient care and as a consequence, the patient experience.
Continue reading→

The argument for healthcare providers to modernise their facilities can be a compelling one.

Keeping up with new technology inevitably leads to decreased maintenance costs, more efficient staffing levels, greater productivity and a higher quality of care.

Despite this, many Trusts still display some hesitancy when it comes to updating old systems, with cost, security or disruption common concerns.

Here we address some of the myths and problems staff may be battling when considering an update to their existing critical care technology.
Continue reading→

As demands and standards in care evolve, so too do the challenges faced by hospitals and Care Trusts as they work to update or replace obsolete critical care systems. For many, excess expenditure, disruption to patients and staff and the integration of new technology with 3rd party systems are considerable concerns.

However, as standards in care are refined, technology is becoming ever more central to care. Helping to reduce costs, increase accountability, optimise staffing and improve the quality of care available to patients, critical care systems are becoming ever more sophisticated – and effective.

As little as a decade ago, technology such as IP (Internet Protocol) seemed like a risky option to many Trusts.

Today, when smartphone and tablet ownership has never been greater and a new generation of care providers fill wards and boardrooms, systems that can work with smarter networks such as IP, and adapt to modern user behaviour, are not only desirable, but beneficial.
Continue reading→