Uniting Communities Choose Integrated Wireless

Integrated Wireless (IW) have been working with Uniting Communities at it's Aldersgate facility in order to increase staff protection and work flows. Uniting Communities came to IW with the following requirements:

• To provide a comprehensive campus-wide duress and cordless phone system with the ability to raise multiple types of alarms (including man-down)

• A handset which will remain consistent across the whole fleet and offers increased durability and robustness

• The system should be capable of providing accurate location throughout the facility

• The system must have the ability to integrate with the existing nurse call, fire panel and gate control systems whereby notifications are immediately broadcast out to appropriate staff members

• The system must provide a comprehensive audit trail of all communications for post incident analysis and reporting

• Measures must be taken to ensure the staff understand and have complete confidence in the duress system and its capabilities

Ascom d81 handset

By deploying 52 of IW's robust d81 duress handsets alongside the latest Ascom basestations to improve coverage and voice quality, IW met the main requirements mentioned above. The Ascom d81 handsets provide staff with an intuitive, easy-to-use device that provides simple messaging, calling and duress solutions. Locational duress alarms can be raised through one of two ways:

-  Push-button duress

-  Man-down alarm (automatic alarm raised when handset tilts over a pre-defined angle)

 Upon a duress alarm being raised at Aldersgate, a message is automatically broadcast out to staff detailing the identity of the unit and its location, while also letting them know which type of alarm was raised. Along with this, staff have the ability to visually identify the location of a duress event on a site map via the alarm management module known as DURAalarm. This allows all LAN based Java enabled computers to view in real time, via text or graphical information, the location of all alarms from the wireless duress handsets.

The management team at Aldersgate wanted their staff to have complete confidence in and understanding of the duress functionality implemented by IW. In order to achieve this, IW introduced DURAtest, a live testing application that allows staff to test their handset's duress functionality at the beginning of every shift. This process increases their familiarity with the duress operation and gives them certainty that an immediate response will be actioned should a problem arise.

Uniting Care- Aldersgate Facility

In addition, IW's solution integrates through to the existing nursecall, fire panel and access control systems at the Aldersgate facility. This allows all nursecall notifications sent within the system to be broadcast out to the appropriate staff member using differentiating tones and following an escalation process should the message not be accepted. Integration through to the fire panel allows mass broadcast out to appropriate staff for rapid response, whilst integrating with access control systems allow defined staff to open doors for visitors.

Finally, IW provided ENSURElog, a software module that permanently stores all communications (alarms, messages, response recordings and phone activity) sent within the system onto a central logging database. All entries are date/time stamped and can be easily accessed by authorised personnel for reporting and auditing purposes, giving management a very powerful OH&S tool to improve response coordination, reduce litigation and potentially highlight a need for staff training.
 

“When Uniting Communities went out to market for a new communication and duress solution, we were not expecting to find a vendor who could meet all of our essential and desired requirements. Integrated Wireless have not only provided our Aldersgate facility with such a solution, they have offered superior support and training after the completion of the project.” 

- Carol McArthur, Group Manager Residential Care Services, Uniting Communities

For more information regarding this case and other IW solutions, click here!

A Christmas Smile at Monash Children's Ward

As 2012 draws to a close, we all start thinking about where we will spend Christmas with our friends and families. Unfortunately, not all children get the opportunity to run a muck in their local neighbourhood.

Integrated Wireless decided to bring Christmas to the kids in the Children's Ward at the Monash Hospital, donating and decorating Christmas trees with children from wards 41 and 42, as well as their own families.

Integrated Wireless Sales Executive Andrew Weiss (left) and Sales and Marketing Director Feargal O'Farrell (right) with their families at Monash Children's Ward last week

"I know the kids and families here at Monash Children's had a great time decorating the trees and they look absolutely fantastic. We really appreciate the generosity and care shown to our patients, staff and families", said Kym Forrect, Monash Children's Director of Nursing.

From everyone here at Integrated Wireless, we wish a very Merry Christmas to these children and hope the trees bring a little Christmas cheer to the ward this year!

Ascom Wireless Solutions Lead the Way

According to the Times Colonist, Ascom Wireless Solutions has claimed growth in global market shares, now sharing the position as the world's largest manufacturer of professional cordless phones with Gigaset.

Ascom VoWiFi & DECT handsets

With over 1,200 employees and subsidiaries in 11 countries world-wide, Ascom have been a major player in both the DECT and VoWiFi cordless phone market for years. Their market share has grown from 15 percent to 17 percent since early 2011, whilst historic leader Gigaset dropped by 1 percent in the same period. These figures take into account the total number of manufactured units globally, including both Ascom branded products and OEM production.

Integrated Wireless (IW) is the sole distributor of Ascom cordless phones in Australia and offer on-the-ground, 24x7 support if required. With deployments in some of the largest Healthcare, Agedcare, Educational, Industrial and Correctional facilities throughout APAC, IW have earned the award as best Ascom International Reseller 5 times and counting.

For product specifications or to speak to one of our representatives, click here!

King Hamad University Hospital uses Ekahau Solution to secure prestigious award

According to Heartland News, King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH) has recently been awarded the “Healthcare Deployment of the Year” award for it's Ekahau Real-Time Asset Tracking solution in the Middle East.

Ekahau, the leader in hospital-grade Real Time Location Systems (RTLS), deployed a solution into KHUH which came under intense scrutiny by Computer News Middle East's pan Arabian panel of experts and came up trumps. Unanimously.

King Hamad University Hospital

The 311-bed KHUH was selected from 40 regional hospitals and acknowledged as one of the most technologically advanced hospitals in the Middle East. It uses Ekahau's asset tags and state-of-the-art PDA's to locate assets to within room level accuracy throughout the 66,000m² facility. This enables complete visibility wherever the Wireless LAN network is installed, allowing staff to spend time with patients rather than searching for wheelchairs and IV pumps.

Integrated Wireless (IW) partner with Ekahau to distribute these solutions Australia-wide. From pre-sales advice through to system maintenance, IW offer 24x7 on-the-ground support to some of Australia's largest hospitals and aged care facilities.

For a free on-site demonstration of our solutions, click here!

Four-Week-Old Infant Abducted in Sydney

Once again, it becomes clear that we cannot leave the safety of our newborn children to chance. Systems need to be put in place to protect these infants who cannot protect themselves.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, 26 year-old Justin Groves walked from the Royal Hospital for Women at11.40am on Monday with his four-week-old baby son in his arms. Both parents attended the clinic together that morning, with Mr. Groves absconding on foot with no access to a vehicle or baby supplies.

Police were alerted shortly after and the hunt began with grave fears for the child's safety. The public were notified of Mr Groves appearance and told to keep an eye out for a tattooed man wearing blue jeans and a white T-shirt. This proved successful, with the man taken into custody later that day in Parramatta.

A happy ending to what could have been a tragic scenario. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Infant Protection Tag

Luckily there is a solution. Integrated Wireless (IW) provide Infant Protection Systems that are put in place to avoid such harrowing scenarios. Tamper-proof baby tags are worn by the infant, triggering an alarm when passing one of many security grade RFID receivers distributed throughout the ward at every door. This alarm is sent to appropriate personnel to deal with the situation at hand.

IW deploy these systems in large-scale maternity wards APAC wide. For more information including pricing and product specifications, click here!

 

Hospital Safety and Security

Australian hospitals are subject to volatile and often dangerous situations. Stakeholders can be put at risk on a daily basis by individuals on and off-site, as well as by factors beyond their control. Whether it be a mental health patient abusing a nurse, a child being abducted or a natural disaster, measures need to be taken to minimize risk where possible.

The appearance of Integrated Wireless (IW) as the sole Duress and Messaging provider at the recent 5^th Annual Hospital & Healthcare Security & Safety Conference on the Gold Coast proves a commitment to work with all facilities interested in protecting stakeholders on site.

Issues addressed surrounded the prevention of aggression in Emergency Departments, change management, as well as emergency and security planning for major events. Shaun Evans, Security Operations Manager of Canterbury District Health Board, cast our minds back to the horrific earthquakes that rocked Christchurch 18 months ago. His knowledge and advice around security response coordination was priceless and well received by the audience.

IW specialise in duress and integrated communication solutions to minimise the daily risks associated with running a hospital. Our mobile handsets can support voice, messaging and duress in the one device, and all 3^rd party systems (fire alarms, access control, etc.) can integrate via IW's unique software applications.

In addition, Infant Protection Systems and Wandering Resident Solutions are offered to help your facility build and retain a reputation as a safe-haven for loved ones.

To research pricing and arrange a free on-site demonstration, click here!
 

A Big Year for Ekahau

Ekahau, an industry leading WiFi based Real Time Location System (RTLS) provider in the USA, has three (3) major reasons to celebrate 2012 (Ekahau press release, September 25^th, 2012):

1. It recently announced a 50% increase in sales in the first half of 2012. The majority of growth came from the healthcare sector where it enjoys the reputation of a solid performance leader and innovator in helping hospitals improve efficiencies, patient safety, and work-flows.
2. It received nearly $10 million in additional growth funding throughout the year in order to accelerate product development and bolster sales and customer care teams. This funding was led by Nexit Ventures with participation from several new and existing investors in the company.
3. The company announced the appointment of Mark D. Norris as the new President and CEO of Ekahau. Norris has previously served Ekahau as COO and CFO, with 20 years of strategic-leadership experience. “Mark brings a fresh vision to Ekahau and has already set new standards for the company in regards to energy, focus and leadership”- Michel Wendell- Chairman of Ekahau.
    
   
   

Integrated Wireless (IW) is the leading Australian distributor of Ekahau solutions, with deployments in some of the nation's busiest hospitals and aged care facilities. IW employ 60+ people throughout the country and carry over 20 years experience in the provision and maintenance of integrated wireless solutions.

For brochures and pricing on IW's products and services- click here!