Nurse Call Systems: Redefining Healthcare Using Modern Technologies
In the mid-1800s, when the Crimean War was raging between Russia and an alliance of European power led by Britain, a young nurse by the name of Florence Nightingale devised a novel system for patients to summon nurses. Her idea was simple – she would place a handheld bell by the patients’ bedside, which they could use to ring nurses as and when required. She drew inspiration from the practice followed in wealthy households, where the inhabitants would call their servants whenever needed. This simple idea took root and laid the foundations for modern nurse call systems.
Today, breakthroughs in healthcare heralded by information & communication technologies in the past few decades have revolutionized the global health sector. While nurse call tools in the past involved rudimentary bells, in the age of technology these tools have transformed into devices and software that allow patients to easily to summon nurses in all kinds of healthcare facilities. With healthcare delivery becoming more complex and hospital admissions escalating worldwide, efficient patient care have become the focus area. To ensure timely response to patient needs, health facilities are increasingly demanding innovative nurse call systems, thus giving rise to a booming market. A recent report by Fortune Business Insights™ states that the global nurse call systems market size is projected to reach USD 2.79 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 11.5%. Thus, given the steadily rising demand for advanced healthcare technologies, it is not surprising that several companies are strategizing to capture this highly lucrative market.
Hillrom Collaborates with Aiva to Optimize Clinical Workflows
Hillrom, the US-based medical device company, entered into a partnership with Aiva in July 2020 to provide Voalte® Mobile solution, Hillrom’s in-room voice assistant, to both patients and caregivers. Allowing hands-free communication in healthcare facilities, the Voalte system is now the only comprehensive mobile solution for unhindered clinical communication that includes nurse call, alarm & alert management, waveform digitization, and medical device integration. For Aiva, this partnership presents an exciting opportunity to expand their network as hospitals are actively integrating Aiva’s advanced voice-recognition software with Hillrom’s platform. Once authorized by the patient, Aiva utilizes smart assistants such as Amazon Alexa to enable patients to summon caregivers. Additionally, the Aiva-Hillrom combination also facilitates voice communication between patients and nurses, allowing patients to speak directly to the nurses through the device.
Rauland Showcases Next-Gen Clinical Workflow Solution at HIMSS 2020
At the 2020 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition, Rauland, the American health technology specialist, displayed exciting new additions to its signature Responder® Enterprise solution along with a new clinical mobile app and innovative accessory product offerings. The system has been designed to provide clinicians with intelligent nurse call solutions that can enhance operational efficiency and optimize workflow process in health facilities. The idea behind Responder Enterprise is to ensure uninterrupted and reliable exchange of patient information between health workers and delivery of superior patient care through data-driven decisions. Furthermore, the company also unveiled a real-time wearable device called Rauland EveryWear™ that can track patient location and enable health workers to provide timely service.
Azure Healthcare Expands Partnership with a Top US Healthcare Company
In February 2020, Australia-based Azure Healthcare Limited announced that it has extended its partnership with a major US hospital and healthcare leader by entering into a 3-year Purchase and Management Agreement with this entity. The agreement was completed by Azure’s US subsidiary, Austco Marketing and Services and will involve the supply of Azure’s flagship IP nurse call system as well as its Tacera Pulse Software platform. Tacera will enable the end-user to keep track of nurse call alerts, measure performance outcomes, and collect alarm and response data efficiently. Currently, Azure supplies Tacera to more than 4,500 healthcare facilities across 60 countries.
The Centrality of Nursing Expertise amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the central role played by nurses in providing optimum care to patients, especially in times of health emergencies. Nurses are the frontline fighters who are at the greatest risk of contracting diseases and infections spread by patients. Acknowledging this, the World Health Organization declared 2020 as the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife”, celebrating Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday. Equipping these real-life heroes with modern technologies has always been essential and never before has the need for these innovations been felt more than now, when the coronavirus is ravaging the human race. Overflowing hospitals with sudden spike in COVID patients have overwhelmed healthcare systems around the world, necessitating the deployment of efficient nurse call solutions to empower frontline health workers to ensure care delivery to all those afflicted by the infection. In Spain, for example, Semtech, Acility, Redexia, and Everynet provided hospitals in Barcelona with Internet of Things (IoT) devices having geo-located nurse call buttons for free. The adoption of nurse call systems is, therefore, likely to surge as long as the coronavirus pandemic lasts.
Progress through Innovation: Is This the Way Forward for Healthcare?
Disruptive technologies have always revolutionized economies and the healthcare industry is no stranger to such disruptions. In fact, healthcare IT is emerging as one of the most promising domains, complemented by the advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Nurse call systems driven by smart tools are the vehicle which will help the healthcare sector reach and breach new milestones in the foreseeable future. The only factor inhibiting their widespread adoption is their unaffordability in underdeveloped countries, where health expenditure is low and economic development is negligible. The next challenge for companies, therefore, is to penetrate these markets and enhance patient care in places where it is most needed.
About the Author
Name: Shantanu Ayachit
Shantanu Ayachit is an avid reader and writer on diverse industries and has wide experience in developing quality content on various domains. He is passionately involved in writing articles, press releases, and blogs on a plethora of topics. Highly motivated, he enjoys putting ideas and thoughts into words to enable the reader to experience a seamless perusal.
