White Paper: Nurse Call Systems and IT Networks
12Pages

Intelligent Life Care White Paper: Nurse Call Systems and IT Networks

Creating Synergies through Integrated System Landscapes

The saving potential of a common infrastructure is quite obvious: Standard components and lines are shared, value added services and convenient functions can be individually brought to the point of care. Standard terminal equipment simplifies service and allows to easily exchange or expand devices in rooms. Additional functions such as presence and call logging as well as secondary alarms support care processes and subsequent billing. The merging of system environments through IT infrastructures is not only advantageous, however, as the life-cycles of network technology are significantly...

Novar GmbH a Honeywell Company Dieselstraße 2 41469 Neuss, Germany Phone: +49   2137 17-0 (Administration) Phone: +49   2137 17-600 (Customer Service Center) Fax: +49   2137 17-286 Internet: www.ackermann-clino.com E-mail: info@www.ackermann-clino.com Honeywell Life Safety Austria GmbH Lemböckgasse 49 1230 Vienna, Austria Phone: +43  1 600 6030 Fax: +43  1 600 6030-900 Internet: www.hls-austria.at E-mail: hls-austria@honeywell.com Part No. 795944.G0 January 2011 Subject to change without notice © 2011 Honeywell

Safety, Nurse Call Systems and IP Solutions: the DIN VDE 0834 DIN VDE 0834 as the yardstick Call function has priority Reliability and emergency operation In Germany, the leading guideline for the safety of nurse call systems is the DIN VDE 0834. Although it might not be legally binding, it is the reference that defines the “state-of-the-art” in a court of law and thus sets the minimum requirements to be adhered to – regardless of what technology is being used. a. Fields of application The DIN VDE 0834 features two fields of application (A and B) according to the degree of risk patients are...

Nurse Call System with separate Supply Master Station Logging of presence, calls etc. Zone Controller TV / Media Common IT Infrastructure for TC and Data Network Data Processing Center Switch Separate power supply for the call system The nurse call system has a separate, independent supply network which is fed with an individual power supply and is supported by means of UPS modules (Uninterruptible Power Supply) in case of power failure. All value added services using the “usual” Ethernet and/or the TC infrastructure are only executed as an add-on for the respective terminal device. • The...

Master Station Switch TV / Media Secondary Alarm, Logging of presence, calls etc. Firewall Switch Nurse Call System Data Processing Center WARD ROOM / POINT OF CARE Dedicated IT network for cross-zone networking Several zones (e.g. different buildings) are interconnected over standard network infrastructures in compliance with DIN 0845 (surge protection). The central networking of the call system is made over available IT network structures in compliance with EN 50173 by using dedicated network components (switches, routers etc.). All components are clearly and unambiguously labeled (incl....

Nurse call systems used in care environments must always work flawlessly. Yet is a separate supply network actually necessary for this? After all, modern care communication uses numerous other functions which are network-based. A closer look at the DIN VDE 0834 standard gives insight into the possibilities of connecting nurse call and LAN according to standards. In hospitals and care facilities a trend towards the convergence of systems is clearly discernible. At the same time costs are ever increasing in the public health services. This is where standardized infrastructures play an...

Master Station Switch Nurse Call System Secondary Alarm, Logging of presence, calls etc. Firewall Switch Media Use of hybrid cabling for cross-zone networking The nurse call system function is realized in compliance with the standard via a bus line while the value added services reach the point of care over standard network infrastructures and, where appropriate, already existing lines. Both cables end at an integrated terminal device. • Standard is fulfilled and helps to minimize resources (ward) • Different life cycles of nurse call systems and IT components • Integrated terminal devices...

Master Station TV / Media Data Processing Center Master Station Direct connection to common IT infrastructure All nurse call system components use the building’s standard network infra- structures. The call function is transmitted over the same switch as are value added services, multimedia etc. to reach the point of care. A proprietary net- work for the nurse call system does not exist. Safety standards should be created through QoS (Quality Of Service)-capable active components, fault-tolerant redundant protocols and containment of subnetworks (per VLAN, VPN etc.). Sufficient personnel...

c. Electrical isolation The safety specifications of the DIN VDE 0100 and 0107 standards must be adhered to during the planning and installation of the nurse call system to prevent any dangerous shock currents. The EN 60601 also plays an essential role in secondary alarms in medical-technical devices over nurse call systems. A reliable electrical isolation is the main requirement in this respect, even in bathrooms and intensive care areas. d. Behavior during malfunction As a general rule, fault messages have to be unambiguous to the staff. Moreover, the call indication via corridor lamp has...