MATT WAKELAM – SENIOR HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS MANAGER, STATIC SYSTEMS GROUP, UK HOSPITAL TECHNOLOGY
Shiftingroleofnurse call solutions during COVID
Matt Wakelam, senior healthcare solutions manager at Static Systems Group (SSG), explores the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated more sophisticated ways of working and led to far greater recognition of the many benefits delivered by advanced nurse call technology.
Digitalisation is changing the face of healthcare, and, through necessity, the COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged greater acceptance of the digitally- enhanced hospital; allowing transformation to take place more quickly than would have been the case in normal times. The pandemic saw SSG work in close collaboration with numerous clinical teams throughout the UK and overseas to help hospitals embrace the full functionality of nurse call – far beyond patient-to-staff communication. By developing innovative solutions that integrate critical alarm and ward communication with other advanced healthcare technology, we have not only helped healthcare providers to reduce the exposure between COVID-positive patients and care teams but have, at the same time, assisted hospitals in enhancing workflow efficiency as a result of improved communication and collaboration across the clinical space. One interesting example of this has been the acceptance of speech - available with our systems - to help reduce the risk of infection transmission.
The benefits of two-way speech communication between patients and clinical staff During the early stages of the pandemic, for example, we were approached by a UK-based NHS Trust with whom we have a longstanding relationship, and were tasked with helping to reduce risks. We enabled the nurse call speech
facility, connected it with the existing telephony system and provided staff with ‘hands-free’ devices. This meant that prioritised and triaged events were sent directly to staff, allowing alerts to be received at any location. Two-way voice communication between staff and patients was enabled, allowing conversations to take place and assessments to be made without having to approach the patient bedside.
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Reducing the risk of transmission The amount of repeat visits to a patient for a single call was consequently reduced as by talking with the patient in advance, staff were able to check which information or supplies were required prior to attending the bedside. By minimising the amount of time spent in the patient’s room, the risk of exposure and transmission of the virus was much lower. Furthermore, the amount of PPE being used was significantly reduced as it was only now required when entering the patient room and not for every query. Having a two-way speech facility
also delivers benefits for COVID- positive patients being cared for in isolation. Hands-free and touch-screen intercoms located outside the patient’s room allow the patient to communication more easily with those responsible for their care, and to receive reassurance. By integrating our nurse call systems with other facilities such as lighting, blinds, heating and entertainment, we are able to make patients feel more in control of their immediate environment, which can have a positive impact on patients who are facing a prolonged and difficult period in hospital.
The COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated more sophisticated ways of using advanced nurse call technology.
Matt Wakelam Matt Wakelam is senior healthcare solutions manager at Static
Systems Group (SSG). Matt joined SSG as a technical apprentice in 2001 and, following completion of his apprenticeship, became a technical support engineer. While supporting UK and global clients, he gained an in-depth knowledge of a broad range of
technologies and systems in use within the clinical environment. He progressed through the company to his current role. Matt has been instrumental in developing systems and solutions
that have even greater potential to improve patient and staff safety and collaboration through automated alerts, alarms and enhanced
workflows using integration. He is passionate about the integration of clinical systems, removing system boundaries and providing clinicians with the
information they require directly to their fingertips, thereby maximising the time available to spend in direct care of patients.
IFHE DIGEST 2022
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