Workflow Automation: Streamlining Clinical Communication

A high-pressure healthcare environment values precious seconds of time during patient care delivery. Nurse call system workflow automation is an evolving trend in healthcare and involves automating repetitive functions such as alerting employees through forwarding, increasing unanswered call alerts, and tracking response time using technology. Although your facility could be operating on either a traditional hardwired infrastructure, a flexible wireless network or a hybrid (a combination of the two), the purpose of automating workflows is to reduce administrative burdens on caregivers so that they may fully focus on caring for residents.

Automated Routing and Escalation of Alerts

Delivery of the appropriate alert to the appropriate individual at the appropriate time is one of the strongest competencies of automation of the workflow.

• Tiered Dispatch: All calls do not go to all the pagers but instead the system can be programmed to dispatch a request of Room Service to dietary staff and Assistance to CNAs.
• Smart Escalation: In case a primary caregiver cannot respond to a call within a pre-established period of time, the system will automatically monitor an alert to a supervisor. This guarantees that a busy shift does not receive a resident request that is subsequently lost in the busy degree, both with and without the signal being carried by a piece of wire or 900 MHz-frequency.

Foley Bridging Wired to Wireless Workflow

The hybrid utilization of nurse call systems contributes to the formation of a single brain that will become the basis for all of the various types of hardware used in these facilities.

• Hybrid communication: All areas are connected via a single communication path. Although there are different types of wireless devices used for staff (hard wired bathroom/called for) all devices still communicate with the same communication path.
• Detecting Presence: Automatic processes can identify the presence of a staff member via an RTLS badge or through manual checking of the room. Subsequently, the system will turn off the light at the common area's door access (the hallway dome) and at the digital presence monitor.

Eliminating Manual Logging

Paper and pen logs are easily inaccurate and have to be monitored manually which is a time consuming activity. The workflow automation logs all the interactions as they happen. The system also provides the management with the information it requires to dynamically optimize staffing through automatic generation of reports on the response trends and activities. This change in manual to automated data collection is the quickest approach of enhancing the efficiency of the facility as well as its adherence to state rules.

Related Expert Resources

• Nurse Call Reporting and Data Analytics - Your Automated Workflows Engine.
• Smartphone and Mobile device Interactive - How to provide automated notifications to staff handsets.
• Main Nurse Call Systems Overview - Overview on the support of automation by the help of wired systems, wireless systems, and hybrid systems.

Modern Hardware Solutions

• Main wireless Nurse Call Page - Learn about mobile elements that make workflow more flexible.
• Advantages of Hybrid Systems - How to make your current wire-based infrastructure intelligent.

Next Steps & Product Links

• Automate Your Facility: Shop Advanced Wander Elopement Systems - See the brains of the system that take automated routing and escalation.
• Enhance Your Employee Resources: See Mobile Integration Hardware - The devices your staff will get automated and real-time notifications.