Greene Acres eliminates wires, noise with new call-out system

A quieter environment that helps keep patients calm is a dream come true for the Greene Acres Nursing Home in Paragould. The facility recently installed a wireless call-out system that silently signals a pager when a patient may need assistance.

“The most important thing to remember is that this is for the benefit of the residents,” Greene Acres Administrator Marlisa Thompson said. “It allows more mobility and safety for alert residents.”

The original system shared alarms and lights with the fire system and had become outdated for repairs. Rather than replace the system with one that would add to the maze of wiring in the attic, Greene Acres purchased a system from Home Free Wireless Resident Monitoring Solutions. The product, manufactured by Direct Supply, features a central computer that receives alerts from remote transponders, which require only a power outlet.

Now, whenever a wandering patient oversteps his boundaries, such as trying to leave the building, the closest transponder picks up a signal from his bracelet and pages a nurse or locks the door. For patients who can slip out of their bracelets without staff realizing it, the nursing home has purchased what look like simple watches, but which actually emit a signal to the transponders. Thompson said the patients are less likely to take off the watches because they’re appealing, and, unlike the bracelets, the watch will send an alert if it’s removed.

In addition to basic wandering options, the nursing home has purchased a fall-risk option. Patients who should not try to get up for their own safety have been placed on pressure pads. A signal is issued when weight shifts on the pressure pad, and nurses are alerted to the patient’s location.

Alert and mobile patients have been given panic buttons. Should they find themselves in a situation where they might need assistance, they can press the button to call a nurse.

“It gives us more peace of mind for people most at risk for wandering,” Thompson said.

The system also allows for response tracking.

“If a patient says the nurse didn’t come, we can track it,” Thompson said.

Certified nursing assistants wear pagers, set on either a low beep or vibrate, and receive alerts. If they don’t respond to an alert within three minutes, the alert goes to a nurse. The nursing home is currently setting up a central response system that would page Thompson if a nurse didn’t respond within three minutes.

Besides helping take care of patients, the system also takes care of itself. The computer automatically performs quality assurance tests and knows immediately if any part of the system is malfunctioning. And because the system is wireless, the problem part can be pulled and replaced without disrupting the rest of the system. Complications with the computer can be repaired through the modem.

Thompson said the basic wireless system was cheaper than a new wired system, and installation was simple.

“It really is easy, but it takes setup, staff and training,” Thompson said. “Go for it with an open mind.

“It’s not perfect immediately, but it provides a better environment for the patients.”

Greene Acres Nursing Home
2402 Country Club Road
Paragould, AR