Wired
Nurse Call Systems
Discover Courtney Thorne’s full range of wired nurse call systems & solutions; built for the specific needs of hospitals & care homes across the UK.
For over 40 years, Courtney Thorne has been delivering industry-leading wired nurse call systems for organisations inside and outside of the UK, with advanced solutions for hospitals, care homes, and other types of healthcare providers.
Wired nurse call systems have been a staple piece of healthcare technology for decades and decades, and serve as a non-disruptive, efficient, and intuitive solution that nurses and care staff can rely on.
Here, you can discover how a wired nurse call system works, how they differ from more modern wireless and hybrid solutions, and why you should choose a Courtney Thorne system in order to make use of this reliable wired technology.
How does a Wired Nurse Call System work?
A wired nurse call system, such as those we provide at Courtney Thorne, operates through a network of hardwired components designed to allow communication between patients and staff working in healthcare organisations. When assistance is required, a patient or resident can activate these wired nurse call systems by pressing a call button, pulling a cord, or operating a wearable device. This sends a signal to hard-wired nurse stations in corridors or outside rooms, indicating both the nature and location of the call while allowing your staff to respond accordingly. Throughout this process, these wired nurse call systems record detailed data, including the time of the call, response times, and the duration of care provided; information which is securely stored on our CT Cloud platform. This enables teams to analyse performance, streamline workflows, and ensure compliance with care standards.
What are the Components of a Wired Nurse Call System?
A wired nurse call system comprises various different elements of hard-wired tech. Our wired nurse call systems include all of the following elements listed below:
| Wired NCS Component | Component Description |
|---|---|
| Call Units | A wall-mounted device featuring buttons for lots of different types of calls, including for emergencies, resets, and general assistance. |
| Wiring Infrastructure | The physical backbone of our wired nurse call systems, connecting all components using structured or low-voltage cabling. |
| Overdoor Lights | A visual indicator installed above room doors that illuminates to signal active calls, aiding staff in quickly identifying the source of an alert. |
| Display Panels | A touchscreen interface that displays real-time call information, allowing your staff to monitor and respond to calls more efficiently. |
| Pull Cords | Installed in areas like bathrooms, this cord is an easier to use alternative to a standard bedside button, & lets more vulnerable users call for help with greater ease. |
| Wearable Pendants | Wrist and neck accessories that allow patients to call for help from anywhere within the wired nurse call system’s range. |
| Remote Reporting | Our CT Cloud platform provides detailed reporting and analytics on system usage, aiding in compliance and efficiency. |
| Integration | Our wired nurse call systems can be integrated with any existing healthcare technologies and systems very easily. |
What are the key differences between hybrid, wireless, and wired nurse call systems?
When categorising a nurse call system by its chosen technology of choice, there are two other main types of system to be aware of: wireless nurse call systems, and hybrid nurse call systems. A wireless system uses modern wire-free technology in its installation and maintenance, while a hybrid system incorporates elements from both systems. Here are the key differences between these three types of nurse call system systems:
- Installation: A wired nurse call system requires hard-wiring extensive cabling into the infrastructure of your facility; a longer, more invasive process than wireless and hybrid systems that is better suited to new structures or extensive refurbishments.
- Maintenance and Reliability: The cabling used in wired nurse call systems means they don’t rely on wireless technology that is susceptible to interference, granting them more consistent performance overall. Systemic issues can be more difficult to diagnose and fix, however.
- Flexibility: A wired nurse call system is the most difficult to move or update, due to the physical cabling required in their installation.
- Cost: Compared to wireless or hybrid solutions, a wired nurse call system usually has lower initial hardware costs, but considerably higher expenses due to the longer installation time and labour required.
Why choose a Courtney Thorne wired nurse call system?
Comprehensive Monitoring
With a Courtney Thorne wired nurse call system, you will be provided with clear audio and visual alerts, detailed maps showing the location of patient calls, on-screen cable fault warnings, and detailed logs of calls and events, all of which facilitate efficient monitoring, stronger reporting of data, and more effective response times.
Reliable Consistency
Our best wired nurse call systems are configured using state-of-the-art cabling during their installation, optimised for minimal interference and maximum consistency of performance. Our wired nurse call systems are designed to deliver a consistent and high level of performance years after their installation, ensuring a long-term solution for your facilities’ patient / staff communication needs.
Regulatory Compliance
Our hard-wired nurse call systems are a solution that is fully compliant with the Department of Health’s HTM 08-03 guidelines; meeting the necessary standards for safety and performance in UK healthcare settings. These wired nurse call systems help your facility to both maintain and prove compliance to these guidelines with ease.
Cost Efficiency
Although the installation of a hard-wired nurse call system can be more complex and initially expensive than other solutions on the market, our wired systems will typically require less ongoing maintenance overall. Any issues related to battery replacement or wireless connectivity issues are irrelevant to a wired system, which can help to reduce the long-term costs associated with operating a nurse call system.
FAQs
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Are wired nurse call systems reliable?
Our wired nurse call systems are specifically engineered to be as reliable as possible by utilising robust materials and clearly-established technologies. Made in Britain with the best of British engineering, our wired nurse call systems have been successfully installed without issues in new-build healthcare facilities, as well as older buildings requiring major refurbishments. The physical cabling we use in our wired nurse call systems eradicates the risk of any signal interference, while ensuring a more consistent level of performance for years after installation. To support the ongoing performance of our wired nurse call systems, we also offer full service contracts and warranties, giving you peace of mind that your system will remain in excellent working order in the long term.
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What is the typical range of a wired nurse call system?
The range of a wired nurse call system is determined by the physical layout and cabling infrastructure of your facility. Since wired nurse call systems rely on direct connections, they are not restricted by the same range limitations as wireless systems are. So long as they are properly installed, a wired nurse call system can provide full coverage throughout your entire healthcare facility, ensuring that all areas are effectively monitored and that calls are communicated to staff as swiftly as possible.
We understand that every healthcare facility will have unique requirements for their wired nurse call system. Therefore, we encourage you to contact us to discuss these specific needs. Our support is always available to help you figure out what these requirements may be, and to recommend the appropriate next steps.
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How is a wired nurse call system installed?
Our wired nurse call systems involve the installation of physical cabling that connects various parts; such as call points, display panels, and alert devices. This cabling is typically integrated into the building’s infrastructure during either the initial construction phase, or in the middle of major renovations. The installation process requires careful planning to ensure that the placement of all devices is sensible, and adherence to healthcare standards is maintained. Once installed, our wired nurse call systems will provide your facility with a stable and permanent communication network.
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What maintenance is required for wired nurse call systems?
Maintenance for wired nurse call systems includes regular inspections to ensure all components are functioning correctly, testing of call points and alert devices, and verification of system integrity. To help maintain your wired nurse call system after installation, we are pleased to offer our annual service contracts, which are available in four levels of cover.
These levels of cover include scheduled preventative maintenance, certification, free battery replacements, remote diagnostics, repair services, and access to loan equipment during repairs. Our annual service contracts are CQC-compliant, while also offered on either monthly or annual payment terms. For further assistance, we can offer you a dedicated Technical Assistance Centre, which is open weekdays, with a 24-hour Emergency Helpline for contract clients. To support your on-site teams, we can also offer you detailed user guides to aid in the troubleshooting of our wired nurse call systems.
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Are wired nurse call systems compliant with healthcare regulations?
Yes, all of our wired nurse call systems are designed to comply with UK healthcare regulations, including the Department of Health’s HTM 08-03 guidelines. Compliance with these standards is important, as these are the regulations that signify our systems meet the requirements for safety, performance, and integration within UK healthcare environments. By sticking to these guidelines, our wired nurse call systems will provide you with the confidence you need when managing patient care.