“In the ICU, situational awareness must never be degraded”

The ICU of Vaasa Central Hospital is using a comprehensive Ascom solution comprised of the intelligent nurse call and communication platform, the modular medical device solution, and the alert assignment system. All systems are accessible through a single device, the Myco smartphone.

“Data from medical devices in patient rooms is delivered to the nurse’s Myco phone. The phone provides a miniature display that allows the nurse to check, for example, a patient’s heart monitor. Medical device data is simultaneously transmitted to the central displays of the ICU as well,” explains Cederholm.

The nurses’ phones clearly display the reason for the alert, helping them to gauge the appropriate manner and urgency with which to respond. The alert assignment system means that each alert only goes to the patient’s caregiver team, which reduces stress and unnecessary interruptions.

“To further reduce the noise level, the alert is silent if the nurse is already with the patient,” adds Cederholm.

Upon receiving a nurse call alert, the nurse may choose to speak with the patient over the phone. According to Cederholm, this saves time and walking away from their work as the matter may not require the nurse to go to the patient room immediately or, based on the conversation, the nurse will know what equipment or medicines to bring to the room.

Cederholm appreciates, in particular, Ascom’s personal safety solution with an accurate positioning feature. By just pressing the safety button on the Myco phone, a nurse can quickly and discreetly alert for help in a threatening situation.

“The positioning feature is important in terms of our staff safety. Our patient rooms are situated on a 60-meter-long corridor, so it is vital to locate the person who pressed the panic button without delay.”