The Challenge

AE Systems was asked to provide Sentara Bayside with integrated communications systems that would improve patient care and reduce hospital costs. Sentara Bayside had previously utilized conventional nurse call systems that only serviced individual nursing units with no hospital-wide interface or integration capabilities.

The Solution

At the core of AE Systems' design and installation was the new Rauland-Borg Responder IV Integrated Nurse/Patient Communications Network ñ the state-of-the-art system that is chosen by more hospitals than any other. Responder IV offers virtually unrestricted flexibility throughout the hospital, from station to station, floor to floor.

The easy-to-use, integrated system includes alphanumeric pocket pagers for nurses and aides. When a patient makes a call, their assigned caregivers are notified with a comprehensive text message. The caregiver can easily tell whether the patient in their assigned room requires emergency or routine attention.

When a page is issued, Responder also illuminates the corridor light of the patient in need of service. The light flashes the color of the staff level that is required. If a staff member does not arrive within an established time limit, the call will return to the station console, where it is automatically re-assigned to a backup caregiver.

AE Systems is also installing the Tracer Unique Locating System at Bayside. Now, expensive biomedical and other equipment can roam anywhere in the facility and be found immediately when needed. A tag transmitter is attached to each piece of roaming equipment and tracked by infrared sensors located throughout the corridors. Finding a piece of equipment is as easy as picking up any phone, and its exact location is relayed.

Responder IVís flexibility allows individual patient rooms or groups of rooms to be transferred from an unstaffed nursing station to another station on the same floor or on a different floor. This cuts down on the number of personnel required during slow or evening hours.

The Responder IV also offers remote programming and diagnostics, and is easily adapted to meet any changes Sentara may desire in the future. All these features and the many more provided by Responder IV ensure that patients feel well cared for and staff can make optimum use of their time and energies.

AE Systems is honored that Sentara has chosen us as their preferred integrated systems provider.