Call buttons are, literally, life savers, so understandably these are used in care settings where patients are vulnerable. Here’s the lowdown on how these are used in this industry.
What Are Call Buttons?
Emergency wireless call buttons send an alert to caregivers in the event of an emergency, such as a fall or accident. They are designed to be accessible and easy to press – or pull, if a cord – and they’re usually placed by a bed, chair, toilet or shower. The devices send a wireless signal to a pager or mobile phone, with many offering geographical location so that carers can quickly be on the scene.
Accessible Always
Call buttons are beneficial in a number of settings and for many reasons, but it’s essential that they are functional all the time. By law, care homes must have call systems in place which are regularly checked and maintained.
Alternatives to Wall-Mounted Buttons and Cords
Wireless call buttons come in various forms, so as well as wall-mounted designs and pull cords, some devices can be worn around the neck or on the wrist to give patients and their families peace of mind.
Who Responds to the Alerts?
Alarm signals are usually raised to a nurse caregiver if in a hospital or residential home setting, but the devices can be set up to manage several alerts at once, perhaps raising the alarm with a group of nurses on a ward and, additionally, family members. This ensures that more than one person knows there’s a safety issue and can quickly act. If the patient’s surgery is also on the list, then these incidents can be recorded on the patient’s health record when they occur.
What Makes Call Buttons So Good?
Wireless call buttons are an essential tool in care settings, as they provide a fast and reliable form of communication between a patient and their caregivers. Call buttons can be the difference between life and death, resulting in more positive outcomes to serious accidents that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.