Improved technology at the new University Hospital gives patients a direct link to their nurse, saving time and improving care.
At the beginning of each shift, nurses are given special wireless phones programmed with their assigned patients’ bed numbers. When a patient calls for a nurse, that call is routed to the proper person, no matter where the employee is in the hospital. If the nurse is occupied and can’t take the call, it will roll to another caregiver for immediate attention. All calls also are sent to the main nursing station of the unit as a backup and response times are monitored.
Patients rest easier because there are fewer noisy overhead pages for staff. Caregivers can work more efficiently because they don’t have to constantly check in with their nursing or control desks. The wireless phones are part of a comprehensive package of new technology and policies to improve staff communications and response to patients’ needs.
UAB’s improved nurse call system is just one more way UAB combines the most advanced treatments with the utmost in compassionate care.
Watch this column in future issues of ehealth for updates on other innovations at the new University Hospital.