On this page
01. The problem on the ward02. How a call travels through the ward03. What to check before you buy04. How we set it up05. What we supply06. How to put it to the hospital or care home07. Get a free survey and quote08. FAQ
A nurse call system carries a patient's call from the bed to the nurses' station in seconds, shows which room called and lets staff answer without walking every corridor.
Key takeaways
- One press, one room
- Nurses see before they walk
- The patient knows it was heard
- Fewer wasted rounds
01The problem on the ward
Picture a ward at 2 a.m. A patient who cannot reach the nurse presses for help. Without a call system the only options are to shout, to wait for the next round, or to ask a visitor to find someone. The patient does not know whether anyone knows. The nurse, at the far end of the corridor, does not know either. A nurse call system closes that gap: one press at the bed lights a lamp over the door and shows the room at the nurses' station, so help starts with a destination instead of a search.
02How a call travels through the ward
03What to check before you buy
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Button types | Bedside, pendant, bathroom pull cord |
| Where calls land | Station display, corridor lamps, staff pagers or handsets |
| Coverage | Every bed, bathroom and shower |
| Reliability | Test every point on a schedule and keep a log |
| Power | Backup for the controller and station |
| Cleaning | Wipeable buttons and cords |
| Standards | Ask the supplier how the system fits your facility's requirements |
04How we set it up
- 01Walk the wardWe note every bed, bathroom, door and the nurses' station.
- 02Choose the systemWired, radio or IP, to suit the building.
- 03Fit buttons, lamps and the stationAt every point on the plan.
- 04Test every buttonWe press each one and check the lamp and the display.
- 05Train the nursesHow to answer, clear and test calls.
05What we supply
We design, supply and install nurse call systems for wards, clinics and care homes, on IP and SIP networks. Fanvil's IP nurse call range is one option we quote, alongside others, and we recommend whichever fits your ward. Send us the room count and we reply with a written quote.
06How to put it to the hospital or care home
Pitch to the matron and the owner by describing the night, not the equipment. Ask them what happens when a patient needs help at 2 a.m., then show how a press at the bed becomes a lit door and a named room. Quote buttons for every bed and bathroom, lamps for every door and a display at the station. Say clearly that it supports nurses and does not replace ward rounds.
07Get a free survey and quote
08Frequently asked questions
Does it replace ward rounds?
No. It gives patients a way to call between rounds and shows nurses where to go.
Does it need Wi-Fi?
Wired and radio systems do not. IP systems run on a wired network.
How often do we test it?
Test every button weekly and keep a log.
Can a small clinic use one?
Yes, with a few buttons and one receiver.
