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 traditional nurse call tells staff a bed called; an IP and SIP system also lets the nurse talk to the patient, and it grows on a network you can extend.
Key takeaways
- Voice
- Growth
- Dependence
- Skills
01The problem on the ward
Both systems carry a call from the bed to the nurse. A traditional system lights a lamp and sounds a buzzer: the nurse knows someone called and has to go and find out why. An IP and SIP system turns the bedside unit into an intercom, so the nurse can answer by voice before walking over. Some brands, including Fanvil, make an IP and SIP nurse call range with a nurse console, bedside intercom, corridor lights, a corridor display and wireless buttons. The trade-off is that an IP system depends on a wired network and good installation.
02How a call travels through the ward
03What to check before you buy
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Do you need voice | Choose IP if nurses should answer by voice |
| Building | Some buildings are easier to cable for a network than to extend lamp wiring |
| Growth plans | Ask how many devices a console supports |
| Network health | IP needs wired network, switches and power you can maintain |
| Support | Who repairs it at 2 a.m.; agree a maintenance contract |
| Like-for-like quotes | Compare full quotes for the same beds, lamps and displays |
04How we set it up
- 01List your needsVoice or signal only, number of beds, growth plans.
- 02Check the buildingCable routes, ceiling access and the nurses' station.
- 03Compare like for likeQuotes for the same scope.
- 04Decide the maintenanceWho tests and repairs, and how fast.
- 05Pilot one wardInstall, learn, then extend.
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 hospital owner by describing what the nurse gets, not the technology. If nurses should answer by voice and the building can take network cable, an IP and SIP system is the better long-term answer. If the need is a simple signal on a small ward, a lamp system may be enough. We quote either honestly.
07Get a free survey and quote
08Frequently asked questions
Is IP nurse call better?
It depends on the building and the staff. IP adds voice and growth; a lamp system is simpler. We quote the option that fits.
Does IP nurse call need Wi-Fi?
Systems such as Fanvil's are built on IP and SIP over a wired network. We plan the cabling with you.
What about power cuts?
Plan backup power for the console, switches and bedside units.
Can we mix both?
Sometimes, during a refurbishment. We survey first.
