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| Time Is Not Always A Great Healer ...especially in the waiting area! |
 As
far back as 2000/2001, a total of 84,273 incidents of violence or
abusive behavior by patients within the NHS were reported. It’s
still a huge problem and while calls for zero tolerance are understandable,
enforcement is difficult. What’s more, coping with violence is not
just dangerous, it’s also expensive. Years ago there was little
call for security personnel in hospitals, these days they are a
must.
Analysis has shown that a significant number of these incidents are a direct result of stress and tension developing amongst patients confined in overcrowded waiting areas for extended periods of time.
An obvious way to defuse potentially violent situations before they ignite is to release patients from the restrictions ofthe waiting area whilst still being able to communicate with them effectively. This has been addressed in a simple but effective manner by a number of forward thinking hospitals. Having seen the technology often used in restaurants, whereby customers are given a pager that is activated to summon them from the waiting area when their table is ready, several senior nursing staff requested similar systems for their patients.
After close consultation, Call-Systems Technology Ltd. developed and installed several MediCall paging systems, which have subsequently played a major part in the reduction of stress and tension for both staff and patients alike.
By giving out pagers, patients and their families are able to leave and explore the hospital environs: shops, cafes, chapels or gardens, confident in the knowledge that they will not lose their place in the queue.
At the appropriate time, with the touch of a button, staff can send a message to the pager, which instantly and discreetly alerts the waiting party to return to the relevant department.
There are also significant spin-off benefits, including the "good news" factor. The ensuing positive press coverage being a welcome change to the more common negative articles about NHS hospitals.
Cafeterias and shops within the hospitals experience increased revenues, whilst nursing staff are able to spend more time giving valuable care rather than managing disgruntled queues.
The wireless MediCall paging system is easy to implement, use and manage. The pagers are large enough so that patients won’t forget them in their pocket, but small enough to be discreet.
Using the latest UHF technology ensures they offer effective coverage and do not affect medical equipment. They are tough, durable and reliable. Little maintenance is required and running costs are negligible.
Since it is a wireless system, installation is fast, easy and unobtrusive. MediCall not only makes hospitals safer for staff, but also makes waiting much more pleasant for patients and visitors alike.
Due to these positive benefits, "Friends of the Hospital" groups have funded several systems whilst others have been funded directly by the Trusts themselves.
Hospitals already using the systems effectively include Hexham General, Ormskirk General, the new Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital and Southmead Bristol among others.
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Call-Systems Technology Ltd, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7UU |
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