Hilversum (NL), Reston (USA), 17 February 2011 – NEC Unified Solutions and Ekahau Inc., worldwide leader in high performance Wi-Fi-based Real Time Location Systems (RTLS), today announced that Klinik St. Pirminsberg in Pfäfers, Switzerland, has implemented NEC’s IP communications solutions in conjunction with Ekahau RTLS to ensure staff safety and improve emergency response in its new 150-bed psychiatric unit that recently opened.
Ekahau’s tracking technology is integrated with the hospital’s NEC-based IP communications infrastructure to provide a comprehensive solution for instantly identifying the location of staff members during emergency situations and supporting instantaneous, two-way communications.
As a modern psychiatric facility, Klinik St. Pirminsberg allows patients to move as freely as possible within their wards. However these patients can exhibit unpredictable behaviour that could endanger hospital staff or other patients. “When the clinic built their new facility, the management wanted to ensure that it was integrated into the existing IP infrastructure of their other buildings, could accommodate for new communications solutions and ensure a safe and secure environment,” said Martin Brunner, Product Manager for NEC Unified Solutions in Switzerland. “With NEC’s IP DECT and Ekahau RTLS, safety has been guaranteed and the hospital has been able to introduce more efficiencies into their operations, while reducing intervention times and lowering operational costs.”
If someone activates an emergency alarm, colleagues will get instantly an alert on their DECT device, with a text message including the name of the sender and his/her exact location. This cuts down reaction time considerably and minimizes potential harm, providing assistance on the spot in case of serious escalations.
The hospital uses NEC’s Healthcare Communications solution for Care and Cure, which comprises an NEC IP communications server, NEC IP DECT mobile communications solutions for voice and messaging and Ekahau RTLS Controller for location tracking. Other components of the solution include iXarma integrated messaging solution and alarm functionality from the M155 DECT Messenger. Besides unique quality of voice, IP DECT assures tight integration with other peripheral systems such as fire-alarm and Building Management Systems.