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Nurse call systems: impact on nursing performance
E T Miller1, C Deets, R V Miller
1Adult Health Department, College of Nursing and Health, University of Cincinnati, USA.
Journal of Nursing Care Quality
|February 1, 1997
Summary
Nurse call systems can improve efficiency by reducing interruptions and saving nursing time. However, system limitations like poor sound quality and inability to prioritize calls need addressing for optimal patient care.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Informatics
- Health Care Management
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Growing demand for health care reform and cost-effectiveness necessitates evaluating routine nursing activities.
- Nurse call systems are integral to unit operations and patient communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine nursing staff utilization and satisfaction with nurse call systems.
- To identify system features that enhance efficiency and areas for improvement.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study design was employed.
- Data were collected from nursing staff in two large metropolitan hospitals.
Main Results:
- Features like unit secretaries screening calls reduced nurse interruptions and saved nursing time.
- Nurses could prepare for patient needs before entering rooms.
- Identified problems included poor sound quality, difficulty locating nurses, call prioritization/confirmation issues, and lack of direct patient/staff communication.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing nurse call systems can improve nursing workflow and efficiency.
- Addressing identified system limitations is crucial for enhancing patient care and safety.