Nurse Call Systems Maintenance

Nurse call systems are a crucial part of many healthcare facilities and hospitals, and like any other system that is installed for health and safety needs, they should be properly maintained at regular intervals to ensure that they are working to their full potential.

What is a Nurse Call System?

A nurse call system is a communication system that allows patients or residents to request assistance from a nurse or other medical staff member. The systems can be as simple as a cord that the patient pulls to notify staff of their need, or they can be more complex with buttons and intercoms located throughout the facility, allowing appropriate staff to respond.

Systems can be wired or wireless and come in a variety of designs. Our team of engineers are familiar with all of the different varieties and can reliably maintain and repair nurse call systems for care homes, hospitals, and other facilities.

Benefits of a Nurse Call System

There are many benefits to having a nurse call system in place, including:

• Much faster treatment in the event of an emergency
• Increased patient safety and satisfaction
• Reduced response times to patients’ needs
• Improved communication between staff members
• Enhanced organisation and efficiency of the healthcare facility

Why You Must Maintain Your Nurse Call System

Like any other system in a nursing home or healthcare facility, nurse call systems must be regularly maintained to ensure that they are working properly.

While it is not specifically a legal requirement to get the system tested, you may well have a duty of care for residents, and maintenance helps to give you peace of mind that you know your call system works properly.

Without regular maintenance, it is possible for the system to break down when it is needed most, which could put patients’ lives at risk.

In addition, nurse call systems that are not properly maintained can result in false alarms, which can cause staff to become desensitised to the system and may eventually lead them to ignore it when a real emergency occurs.

Types of Nurse Call Systems

There are many different types of nurse call systems and commercial panic alarms on the market, and the one that is right for your facility will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the facility, the needs of the patients, and your budget.

Some of the most popular types of nurse call systems include:

• Wireless nurse call systems. Wireless nurse call systems have gained popularity for their flexibility and ease of installation. Instead of physical wiring, these systems use wireless technology to connect the call devices to a central monitoring unit. Patients or residents use wireless call buttons or pendants to request assistance. This type of system is particularly advantageous in smaller healthcare facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living communities, as it can be set up quickly without the need for extensive rewiring. 
• Wired nurse call systems. Wired nurse call systems are the traditional and most widely used type of nurse call system. In this setup, the call devices (usually in the form of buttons or pull cords) are physically connected to a central control unit via wiring. When a patient or resident in a healthcare facility requires assistance, they press a button or pull a cord, which sends a signal to the central control unit. This unit then relays the request to the appropriate staff.
• Panic alarm systems that can contact emergency services if needed

No matter what type of nurse call system you have in place, it is important to ensure that it is regularly maintained by a qualified technician.

What Nurse Call System Maintenance Entails

Nurse call system maintenance generally includes a few key components, such as:

• Inspection of all hardware and software to ensure that it is working properly
• Testing of the system to make sure that it is functioning correctly
• Calibration of sensors to ensure accurate readings
• Replacement of any parts that are not working properly

The risks of not having a working call system can be a matter of life and death, so it is not something worth taking chances with.

Robinsons Facilities Services can also offer repairs around Yorkshire. If something goes wrong with your call system you will want to get it repaired as quickly as possible. We offer a 24/7 emergency service that can help to get your system up and running again in no time.

Working across Yorkshire, we cover North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and South Yorkshire and offer a fast, efficient response time to all breakdowns and repairs. Contact us today for all planned, reactive maintenance or emergency call out. Call 01423 226578 or get in touch to see how Robinsons Facilities Services can help.