Graphical Audio Station Nurse Call Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nurse call systems in healthcare facilities lack efficient room-to-room communication and integration of alerts from various medical equipment, limiting caregiver coordination and patient care responsiveness.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of graphical audio stations with touch screens and integrated communication protocols allows for two-way voice communication, alert management, and multimedia access, enabling seamless communication between patient rooms, staff areas, and master stations, as well as integration with medical equipment alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional nurse call systems are used with basic audio stations, then system simplicity is maintained, but room-to-room communication capability and integration with medical equipment alerts are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The audio station is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a nurse call receiver, a room-to-room communication device, and an alert integration point for medical equipment. The graphical display screen can show different types of information (nurse calls, alerts, communication interfaces), and the processor can handle various communication protocols, allowing a single device to replace multiple specialized devices and thereby increase versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines previously separate functions into a single integrated audio station: the nurse call interface, the room communication interface, and the medical equipment alert interface are merged into one device. This consolidation allows the system to achieve enhanced adaptability while managing complexity through integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
2Productivity
If graphical audio stations with touch screens and integrated communication protocols are implemented, then communication efficiency and alert integration are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual communication methods with graphical user interfaces and touch screen technology. Caregivers can efficiently communicate by selecting visual options on the display rather than navigating complex physical controls or memorizing system codes. This substitution dramatically improves communication efficiency while the complexity is managed through software design rather than mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio station automatically manages multiple communication protocols and alert integrations without requiring manual configuration for each interaction. The processor autonomously handles protocol selection, alert prioritization, and communication routing based on the situation, improving productivity while containing complexity within the automated system rather than requiring complex user management.
3Reliability
If audio stations are equipped with multiple communication interfaces and graphical displays, then caregiver coordination is enhanced, but ease of operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical display screen provides context-specific information and controls based on the current situation. When a nurse call is received, the display shows relevant patient information and communication options. When integrating medical equipment alerts, the display prioritizes and categorizes alerts by urgency. This localized presentation of information tailored to each operational context enhances coordination reliability while maintaining ease of operation through relevant, simplified interfaces rather than overwhelming universal controls.
Data Source
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AI summary
A graphical audio station (22) of a nurse call system is operable to permit a user to perform one or more of the following functions: establish a two-way voice communication link with another computer device in a patient room and/or with a another computer device located in another staff work area and/or with a wireless communication device carried by caregiver and/or with a telephone of the healthcare facility; broadcast a voice page to a group of other selected computer devices; compose and send a text message to a portable device that is carried by a caregiver and that has wireless communication capability; browse web pages and/or view multimedia content, such as videos, hosted on servers of the healthcare facility and/or that are accessible via the Internet; view and/or acknowledge and/or answer and/or cancel alerts or nurse calls originating in patient rooms.