From Alarms to Intelligent Hubs: How Integrated Nurse Call Systems Are Transforming Patient Care

The simple nurse call bell has transformed from a basic alarm system into a critical piece of technology in every patient room, acting as an intelligent hub for data, communication, workflow, and safety. Our healthcare team recently toured the facilities of multiple nurse call manufacturers to learn about how this technology continues to advance and improve staff efficiency and patient satisfaction. We gathered their insight and have highlighted takeaways on how nurse call systems are impacting patients, staff, and the built environment.

What New Capabilities in Nurse Call Systems Got Us Excited?

A significant feature of modern nurse call systems is the seamless integration of telehealth and telesitter functions. Instead of operating three separate systems—one for nurse call, one for virtual visits, and one for remote patient observation—manufacturers are now integrating in-room components (such as a ceiling mic and a camera). This ability to integrate virtual nursing, telesitting, and even virtual family visits with the nurse call system is a significant benefit for reducing hospitals’ technology budgets. Additionally, integrating with the Electronic Health Record (EHR) ensures simplicity and efficiency, streamlining provider workflows and providing a more seamless patient experience.

What Are Hospitals Prioritizing in Nurse Call Systems Right Now?

When hospitals discuss their wish lists for new nurse call systems, it typically comes down to two primary factors: cost and efficiency.

• Cost Management: A top priority always includes minimizing cost-per-bed and managing recurring costs. However, another cost factor hospitals are considering is the lead time for supplying nurse call systems. We’ve seen some hospitals seek US-based manufacturers to help reduce construction lead times.
• Intelligent Routing: Nobody wants a nurse manually fielding every call. Hospitals are seeing better results when systems automatically push non-urgent alerts straight to the right person’s mobile device. This level of smart programming ensures the right care team member responds, without staff having to stop and triage every single alert.
• System Evolution and Data: We’re seeing the nurse call system evolve from a simple alert tool into a genuine information and workflow platform. These systems are now designed to pull in data from other hospital sources—think Biomed equipment, smart beds, and the EHR—and use that collective information to create specific action items for the care team, streamlining workflows and patient engagement.

How Are These Systems Becoming Central Hubs Through Integration?

The modern nurse call is becoming the ultimate connection point, linking up with almost every other system in the hospital to create a cohesive patient environment.

• Digital Patient Displays: The growth in digital whiteboards and patient room displays has increased significantly. These customizable screens are more than just a static display; they show real-time staff names, fall risks, pain assessments, and can even facilitate video consults with specialists using a built-in mic and camera.
• Location Awareness (RTLS): Nurse call manufacturers are either building their own Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) or offering seamless integration with existing RTLS systems. This flexibility is a significant advantage for clients, allowing them to select the RTLS technology that best suits their specific facility needs. This integration also boosts efficiency—for instance, the system automatically cancels a patient call the moment the RTLS senses the assigned nurse has entered the room and signals the dome light above the door to indicate their presence.
• New Smart Bed Workflows: Nurse call systems are now creating new workflows with smart beds. Suppose a patient lifts their weight off the mattress. In that case, a “stay in bed” alert can immediately appear on the in-room board (often in their native language) while simultaneously notifying staff of a potential fall risk.

How Does New Technology Enhance Patient Satisfaction and Safety?

The new capabilities are directly improving the patient’s stay, making them feel safer, more informed, and more comfortable. The system is acting as the central controller for the patient environment. For instance, an in-room control device, commonly a tablet, is not only connected to the nurse call system but also integrates with other aspects of the patient room, allowing patients to control aspects like room temperature, lighting, shades, and entertainment directly.

Beyond controls, the system integrates heavily with patient education (showing informational videos from providers such as WebMD), entertainment (connecting to streaming services like Netflix and Hulu), and even food ordering. To make it easier, many facilities now offer a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) option, where a room-specific QR code directs patients to a link to download a helpful app.

On the safety front, location technology via RTLS not only streamlines staff response but also boosts patient confidence by providing accurate timestamping for staff arrival. As mentioned earlier, the interface with the patient’s smart bed is helpful for fall prevention, utilizing simple visual and verbal cues to keep them safe.

What Challenges Are Ahead with Implementing These Newer Systems?

While the advancements in patient room technologies are exciting, implementing these complex, data-heavy systems isn’t without its challenges.

• Privacy Perception with Telehealth: Cameras for telesitting and virtual consults are great, but there’s a risk patients may feel constantly monitored. Manufacturers need to offer features, such as cameras that visibly swivel to face the wall when not in use, to enhance patients’ feelings of privacy. However, systems using AI to provide video analytics for early detection of patient issues require a constant camera position.
• RTLS Implementation Nuances: Location technology can be tricky in its own right. RTLS uses different technologies, and each has a specific limitation:
  • If the system uses IR (infrared), having too much light in the room can actually impact its ability to read correctly. They also must have a clear line of sight, which can be a challenge in a congested hospital environment.
  • If the system uses RF (radio frequency), you lose precision and exact location details, which can negatively affect the accuracy of the workflow data you’re collecting and make it unreliable for functions such as cancelling a patient call.
  • Furthermore, if the RTLS tracks staff, some facilities face pushback due to the perception of “always being tracked.”
• The Interoperability Trap: When a system starts pulling data from everything (EHR, Biomed, RTLS), you end up with a highly integrated environment. However, if one of those integrated systems receives an unexpected software update or experiences a glitch, it could disrupt the data flow to the nurse call platform.

Where Do We See Nurse Call Technology Headed in the Next 5 Years?

The future of nurse call is all about network connectivity, data, and simplified deployment. We anticipate a significant shift away from older, centralized nurse call hardware and towards fully network-based, IP-connected systems that meet all code requirements. The following are some examples of where we see nurse call technology heading.

• Smart Signage: Simple LED dome lights are replacing LCD dome lights and will serve as digital signage outside patient rooms, each with its own IP address for enhanced flexibility and functionality.
• Simplified Network Connectivity: The driving force will be to simplify network infrastructure. We expect to see more systems use standard Power over Ethernet (PoE) connections rather than proprietary, unique conductor cabling. Using a more universal cable helps future-proof the system and simplifies adding devices to the network.

Ultimately, increasing the number of IP connections across the system will unlock the potential for advanced features and functionality we are only just beginning to imagine. The continued integration of nurse call systems into a hospital’s technology ecosystem can provide significant benefits by increasing workforce efficiency and patient satisfaction scores. However, even though the possibilities may be endless, choosing the right solution for your facility will require careful technology visioning.

TEECOM Can Help

Engaging a technology consultant, like TEECOM, helps alleviate the burden of coordination within the design team. Our healthcare team utilizes their decades of experience to translate owner technology needs, to practical design strategies that create efficient buildings, staff workflow, and patient experiences. Will any of these advancements impact your next facility? Visit our contact page to get in touch with one of our healthcare experts and dive deeper into how you can build your hospital FOR the future.

About the Authors

Nikki Tuft is a telecom designer with over 25 years of experience in systems design, layout, value engineering, and project management with multiple healthcare technology systems. Over the years, she’s had the opportunity to lead projects ranging from 5,000 sf to over 1,000,000 sf, assisting clients with implementing their vision to meet project goals and expectations.

Bryan Herrin is an expert in nurse call system design. He brings over 30 years of experience designing and delivering low-voltage technology systems that enhance safety, efficiency, and performance in complex environments. He has focused extensively on healthcare, specializing in nurse call, access control, video surveillance, RTLS, and public address systems. Known for his practical insight and years of hands-on experience, Bryan is skilled at guiding projects from initial design to successful completion.