The Nurse call system is the most critical communications system used in a hospital or aged care facility and failure to perform, can be detrimental to the safety of patients and residents.  For this reason it is imperative that the nurse call system operates correctly and to standard, that standard is AS 3811 (The Australian Standard for Hard-wired Patient Alarm systems) . This page will endeavour to set out some of the key factors we believe should be considered when selecting the most suitable Nurse call system for your facility, including meeting the AS 3811 standard.

Nurse call system options:

What is an IP Nurse Call System?
The term IP means Internet Protocol. In an IP Nurse call environment, the physical push of a button is converted to data packets and transmitted over the LAN to the controller and subsequent annunciators and sounders.  So, in effect, an IP Nurse call system does nothing more than “’mimic’ the basic digital nurse call system developed twenty five years ago. The only difference is it uses a different “signalling” system to achieve the communication.
For further reading see IP Nurse call Key Considertations.

Under AS 3811 (The Australian Standard for Hard-wired Patient Alarm systems), the Nurse call system should operate independently from any other system. This is to prevent any possibility of system corruption and calls not going through. Therefore, any implementation of an IP Nurse call system should be independent of the hospital LAN or BMS.

• SEDCO's IP Hybrid network Nurse call systems offer far greater redundancy than other systems. All SEDCO Nurse call systems are designed to operate independently from any other system, as specified in AS 3811.
• SEDCO’s patient alarm systems produce a visible and audible indication of the type and location of call, which registers at the corridor indicator and other staff areas as necessary.
• All SEDCO nurse call systems require that calls only be cancelled at the point of origin.
• SEDCO wet area buttons are entirely waterproof (IP 67 rated).  Button meets the requirements of IP65 as specified in AS 1939.
• SEDCO meets the identification requirements for buttons as set out in Table 3.4.6 of AS 3811-1998.  This includes including Braille for people with visual difficulties.
• SEDCO’s patient alarm systems are independent of other systems, ensuring that the patient alarm system will continue to operate in the event of the main data bus failing.
• SEDCO’s patient alarm system allows any call point, reassurance lamp or corridor indicator to be removed and replaced without the need to switch off the entire system.
• SEDCO’s patient alarm systems are only installed by SEDCO approved technicians.
• SEDCO colour codes cabling to ensure system cable is easily distinguishable from other cables.
• SEDCO strongly advices to clients that patient alarm system maintenance is only ever carried out by SEDCO or SEDCO representatives.  SEDCO offers a certification program for facility engineers and technicians to ensure that general maintenance can be performed in-house.
• SEDCO proactively communicates with the hospital to ensure an authorised representative of SEDCO carries out general routine maintenance visits at least once per year, with no more than 13 months between visits.
• For each health care facility, SEDCO or a SEDCO representative will maintain and retain a historical record. 
• Where required by the client, SEDCO will issue the hospital’s engineer or nominated technical person with a logbook.  The logbook will be made available to authorised maintenance staff for the purpose of recording all visits, regular testing by the client and regular maintenance by SEDCO or a SEDCO representative.