Caregiver call app by RCare puts pagers out to pasture

Pagers are still causing grief in assisted living centers, nursing homes and hospitals—but a new caregiver call app is changing that.

For the past 30+ years, pagers have been the norm for medical and aging service providers. When residents push a nurse call button, it alerts each of their caregivers’ pagers with their room number.

The big problem with this? There’s no easy way to see what the emergency is, which calls have been responded to, and which residents still need help. It’s challenging for caregivers to triage calls on pagers, given the limited information on the small readout. And with pagers nearly always beeping, it’s hard to know when new calls come in.

Understandably, many caregivers, residents and families can feel frustrated with caregiver response times and overall quality of care—no matter how hardworking staff are. Caregivers want to know more about situations before walking in. They want to ensure that multiple caregivers don’t show up to one nurse call, and that no calls are missed. They need an on-the-go solution with more information and easier coordination.

Mobile caregiver call app to the rescue

To solve this huge, global problem, New York based RCare has designed an integrated mobile phone application called RCare Mobile, which as a caregiver call app, sends alerts directly to each caregiver’s phone. RCare Mobile allows caregivers to claim calls, coordinate with co-workers, and communicate directly with residents to assess the urgency and plan of action.

“I Got It” button

Attached to each RCare mobile alert is an “I Got It” touch button, enabling one caregiver to claim the call. With “I Got It” all caregivers see which calls still need attention, and which have been claimed and by whom. If a caregiver nearby responds, other caregivers don’t waste footsteps answering the same call. When a nurse call is claimed, the alert discontinues, reducing alarm fatigue—a serious issue for caregiving staff.

For calls that have been not claimed and active for too long, nurse administrators receive alerts and can review records of which calls have been handled by whom. That’s powerful data for patient care administrative planning.

Voice-to-Voice

RCare Mobile caregiver call app homescreen The RCare Mobile app gives the communication power of smartphones to caregivers, but without the risks and distractions common to cell phones. The app lets caregivers speak with residents, such as to reassure them their call has been received and help is on the way.

Knowing why the resident called lets caregivers respond to a situation properly equipped, and to prioritize urgent calls that require immediate attention, over more prosaic calls. The RCare Mobile caregiver call app also lets caregivers communicate with coworkers by voice or text when backup help is needed.

ADL Tracking

Using NFC technology, RCare Mobile logs check-in and check-out from points of care, as well as patient activities of daily living (ADL) duties such as dressing, bathing, toileting and cleaning. This helps care administrators determine response times and call durations. RCare Mobile automatically tracks the time spent providing each service, which is helpful for billing and for optimizing staffing. Proper record keeping also helps case managers see changes in residents’ needs, ensuring each resident’s care plan is updated as appropriate.

Advanced Locating Protocol

RCare Mobile app incidents screen When a patient call comes in, time is critical. But what if the button is pressed outside a resident’s room? With integrated ALP, RCare Mobile gives the exact location and floor where the alert pendant was pressed, so caregivers respond to the right place, right away.

Platform and MDM flexible

The RCare Mobile caregiver call app is designed for both Android and iOS (iPhone and iPad) platforms, and the app is also compatible with Mobile Device Management (MDM) software that may already be in use.

Even more than apps

RCare is a leader in innovative wireless nurse call and advanced monitoring technologies for senior housing communities worldwide, offering wireless devices that alert staff of unsafe or uncomfortable environmental conditions. Residents use RCare nurse call buttons, pull cords and wearable pendants to request help whenever needed.