Improve Response Times & Staff Efficiency with Wireless Phones Or Two-way Radios
True or not, a common complaint from residents and family members is slow response time to call lights. Empowering front-line caregivers to respond directly to resident calls can dramatically decrease wait times and help staff work more efficiently with less wasted steps. When paired with a voice-enabled nurse call system, staff can speak with residents from their mobile devices and assure them help is on the way. Staff can also communicate with each other from anywhere on the campus and coordinate their response to ensure calls are covered and efforts are not duplicated.
A Voice For Residents—and Tools For Staff To Listen And Respond
There a few options when considering a mobile communication system for caregivers. Costs and features depend on which platform you choose.
2-way Radios
The most cost-effective option utilizes 2-way radios carried by staff. Nurse call alerts are converted to voice messages heard through the radio, so there’s no need to look at a device to know where the call is coming from – like with pagers. While this option doesn’t allow for speaking directly with the resident, the one-to-many nature of this system ensures that all staff radios programmed to receive calls from that room will receive the request for assistance immediately. (Radios can be programmed to receive alerts only from the unit/area they are assigned to.) Staff can then collaborate using their radios to determine who is best able to respond to the call. Torrence has deployed this system in several Assisted Living communities with successful results.
Wireless Phones – Optimize Staff Time With 2-way Communication
Torrence has facilitated direct voice contact between caregivers and patients in the acute care space for many years. The technology is now a viable option for use in Assisted Living and Skilled Care communities. Wireless phones carried by front-line staff are documented to promote significant improvements in outcomes and staff satisfaction.
- Improve response times and staff efficiency
- Reassure residents and their families that help is always close to hand
- Caregivers can prioritize calls while on the go, and coordinate responses with colleagues
- Filtered alerts and messages mean a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere
- Helps ensure resident safety, dignity, and privacy
- Promotes a calm, coordinated, and efficient workplace for caregivers
- Increased accountability, reduced alarm fatigue and workflow transparency
Additionally, the integration software used to link nurse call alerts to wireless phones can provide reporting features beneficial for administrators.
- Which caregiver(s) were notified of the incident
- Which caregiver(s) acknowledged receipt of the message
- Which caregiver entered the resident’s room
- How long the caregiver was in the resident’s room
- The services the caregiver performed
- Caregiver notes
Dect, Wi-fi, Or Cellular – Which Do You Choose?
When investing in a wireless solution, which is the right wireless platform to build on? Most communities now have Wi-Fi coverage across the campus, so it may seem logical to choose a VOiP wireless phone solution. Wi-Fi was designed as a wireless data solution. Voice over Wi-Fi requires a robust Wi-Fi network that can support reliable voice communication without dropouts or lost calls when entering stairwells or elevators. Your Wi-Fi network will likely need to be updated to ensure it can support the “Quality of Service” and coverage required for reliable voice communication along with the normal data traffic on your network.
DECT is a purpose-built wireless network dedicated strictly for voice communication.When properly implemented, a DECT phone system with wireless handsets is very reliable. The cost of supporting a separate DECT voice network can be justified due to fewer technical problems and increased patient safety.
Some communities have already invested in CELLULAR wireless phones for their clinical staff. In those cases, Torrence has nurse call options that can send text alerts to phones, and provide direct voice communication to residents.
To learn more about wireless solutions to link residents and staff, contact Torrence to speak with one of our healthcare communication consultants.
Case Studies
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