nurse call
Integrating nurse call with lighting alongside circadian rhythm technology can promote a sense of being in control, wellbeing and safety among patients
We explore how modern lighting controls are being incorporated into the latest nurse call solutions
A leading light
traditional light switches, either through physical or mental disability. “In these cases the only real alternatives would be either to have the lights on all night, which not only has a negative impact on the quality of sleep, but is not environmentally sensitive; or to monitor any movement as the person gets out of bed and have a member of care staff by their side almost immediately.
“Neither of these alternatives is satisfactory, practical, or cost effective.”
W
ith nurse call solutions operating in every hospital and care home across the country;
they are increasingly being used for additional purposes. One of these is to control lighting. Matt Clutton, product manager at Static Systems Group, said: “There is increasing recognition that a hospital’s nurse call system is an under-utilised resource; and as the nurse call infrastructure is already in place and often site-wide, additional services can be added at minimal cost.” Dave Hewitt, sales and marketing manager at Courtney Thorne, adds: “Some people in care homes or hospitals are unable to operate
Safety first Providing a safer, more-controlled lighting scenario whenever movement is detected in a room also reduces the likelihood of tripping and falling. And the need for care staff to accompany residents to the bathroom, for example, can be reviewed, creating savings on night staffing levels. “It is widely acknowledged that if a patient gets out of bed at night, they are less likely to fall if there is low-level lighting to illuminate trip hazards,” said Clutton.
“Advanced nurse call systems can be
programmed to automatically activate lights if a bed exit is detected. “Also, when a patient raises a call, low-level lighting, or the patient reading
light, can be activated so that, when a nurse arrives, they can immediately see where the patient is, what they are doing, and whether there is anything visibly wrong.
“And, if a nurse escalates a call to a
rapid response or a code-blue alarm, lighting can be set to come on at full brightness and illuminate other ward and corridor lighting, enabling the patient to be assessed and treated more quickly.” There are various solutions on the market which enable nurse call systems to control luminaries. These include protocols such as SwitchDim and Digital Serial Interface (DSI), as well as Power over Ethernet (PoE) and Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity. But, probably the most- popular method of control at the moment is to use intelligent Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) switch monitors.
These enable the switches and bed
light relays on the nurse call and bedhead trunking to send commands to the DALI-connected lighting provided by others.
Enhanced workflows
“Nurse call and lighting integration can range from basic on/off dimming of
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