[no phi] Call system inside Nursing facility

[Edward Hitchcock]

I have been asked to consult on a system for a nursing facility with
existing poor wiring.  Client can operate a pneumatic or other switch,
but cannot access the current call light (which is apparently a switch
on the wall itself).

 

I discussed the possibility of hardwiring a switch into the existing
call light, but apparently when tried before, this wound up seriously
messing with the overall electrical circuitry.  Notwithstanding my
recommendation to get the wiring looked at on general principles, I have
been asked to research some systems that are wireless that can be put in
now.

 

I have plenty of familiarity with systems like the personal pager, X-10
control of a chime, etc.  But of course this is all geared towards use
in a home environment with a consistent caregiver.  My concern is that a
random bell going off in a nurses station will not tell a unfamiliar
caregiver that Room 702 needs assistance.  

 

So I am looking for input on a system that has a base station that I
envision sitting at a nurses station, that actually speaks or beeps and
provides a message along the lines of "702" or "Joe Smith" needs
assistance in his room.  

 

I am recalling something like "microvision" that had a base station but
am now not recalling the name.  Google did not help with that.

 

I also looked at the link to
http://www.command-comm.com/private_paging.php that Donn helpfully
supplied to a previous question, but am concerned about the pager being
taken off the unit by accident etc.  

 

Thanks in advance for any input.  

 

Ed Hitchcock OT/L

Technology Center

Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

This e-mail, and any attachments, is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information, including but not limited to protected health information.
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Thank you.

[Donn Hilker]

Ed:
 
buy more than one pager for the PrivatePage- I usually get 3 for a home - one in use, one for immediate backup
and one for in-closet backup
 
also look into the Smart call residential system which I have seen in one of our local group home set ups:
http://www.smartcaregivercorp.com/indexjo.htm 
 
Donn
 


>>> Edward Hitchcock <ehitchcock@...> 11/6/2009 11:00 AM >>>
I have been asked to consult on a system for a nursing facility with
existing poor wiring.  Client can operate a pneumatic or other switch,
but cannot access the current call light (which is apparently a switch
on the wall itself).



I discussed the possibility of hardwiring a switch into the existing
call light, but apparently when tried before, this wound up seriously
messing with the overall electrical circuitry.  Notwithstanding my
recommendation to get the wiring looked at on general principles, I have
been asked to research some systems that are wireless that can be put in
now.



I have plenty of familiarity with systems like the personal pager, X-10
control of a chime, etc.  But of course this is all geared towards use
in a home environment with a consistent caregiver.  My concern is that a
random bell going off in a nurses station will not tell a unfamiliar
caregiver that Room 702 needs assistance.  



So I am looking for input on a system that has a base station that I
envision sitting at a nurses station, that actually speaks or beeps and
provides a message along the lines of "702" or "Joe Smith" needs
assistance in his room.  



I am recalling something like "microvision" that had a base station but
am now not recalling the name.  Google did not help with that.



I also looked at the link to
http://www.command ( http://www.command/ )-comm.com/private_paging.php that Donn helpfully
supplied to a previous question, but am concerned about the pager being
taken off the unit by accident etc.  



Thanks in advance for any input.  



Ed Hitchcock OT/L

Technology Center

Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

This e-mail, and any attachments, is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information, including but not limited to protected health information.
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If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately and destroy the material in its entirety, whether in electronic or hard copy format.
If you have a concern related to the receipt or disclosure of such information, please do not hesitate to contact RIC's Privacy Officer at 312.238.7066 or privacyofficer@....
Thank you.

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[Ronny Gaal]

Hi Ed,

One thought:  If the existing switch is reachable by some types of patients, then it might be possible to provide a mechanical connection (such as a pull string) to that switch that keeps you out of the wiring mess. If the switch location is OK for that approach but the switch itself is not, then perhaps the switch could be replaced--not added to--so that the wiring would not be changed.

Sounds iffy, but I'll hit send just in case it sparks a more usable idea.

--Ronny Gaal

-----Original Message-----

>From: Edward Hitchcock <ehitchcock@...>
>Sent: Nov 6, 2009 8:00 AM
>To: AT-FORUM@...
>Subject: [no phi] Call system inside Nursing facility
>
>I have been asked to consult on a system for a nursing facility with
>existing poor wiring.  Client can operate a pneumatic or other switch,
>but cannot access the current call light (which is apparently a switch
>on the wall itself).
>
>
>
>I discussed the possibility of hardwiring a switch into the existing
>call light, but apparently when tried before, this wound up seriously
>messing with the overall electrical circuitry.  Notwithstanding my
>recommendation to get the wiring looked at on general principles, I have
>been asked to research some systems that are wireless that can be put in
>now.
>
>
>
>I have plenty of familiarity with systems like the personal pager, X-10
>control of a chime, etc.  But of course this is all geared towards use
>in a home environment with a consistent caregiver.  My concern is that a
>random bell going off in a nurses station will not tell a unfamiliar
>caregiver that Room 702 needs assistance.  
>
>
>
>So I am looking for input on a system that has a base station that I
>envision sitting at a nurses station, that actually speaks or beeps and
>provides a message along the lines of "702" or "Joe Smith" needs
>assistance in his room.  
>
>
>
>I am recalling something like "microvision" that had a base station but
>am now not recalling the name.  Google did not help with that.
>
>
>
>I also looked at the link to
>http://www.command-comm.com/private_paging.php that Donn helpfully
>supplied to a previous question, but am concerned about the pager being
>taken off the unit by accident etc.  
>
>
>
>Thanks in advance for any input.  
>
>
>
>Ed Hitchcock OT/L
>
>Technology Center
>
>Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
>
>This e-mail, and any attachments, is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information, including but not limited to protected health information.
>If the information contains legally privileged or confidential information, you have an obligation to comply with all laws and regulations regarding its disclosure and safe keeping.
>If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, printing or copying of this e-mail, and any attachments, is strictly prohibited.
>If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately and destroy the material in its entirety, whether in electronic or hard copy format.
>If you have a concern related to the receipt or disclosure of such information, please do not hesitate to contact RIC's Privacy Officer at 312.238.7066 or privacyofficer@....
>Thank you.

Ronald (Ronny) P. Gaal, PE, ATP, RET
San Francisco State University Rehabilitation Engineering Technology Project
Voice & Fax [phone]     E-Mail rgaal@...
www.retproject.org