Hospital Trust Links Silent Call System to Shorter Patient Stays

An experimental program in Cornwall, employing intelligent technology to create a more serene and tranquil ward environment for new mothers and their infants, has resulted in a decrease of half a day in the duration of a patient’s hospitalization, as stated by medical professionals. Within the scope of this initiative, the call bells on the post-natal ward at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro have been deactivated for the last six months. Currently, when a patient requests assistance, a notification is transmitted directly to a midwife or support worker via a handheld device, eliminating any audible sound. The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) indicated that this system allowed new mothers to achieve greater rest and facilitated earlier discharge from the hospital. Ashley Tindale, who delivered four of her children at Royal Cornwall Hospital, remained there for seven days following the birth of her son, Soren, eight weeks prior. She commented that the ward appeared “noticeably different” on this occasion. She stated, “When the ladies in the bay have rung for assistance, you haven’t known about it until a member staff arrived.” The trust reported that patients receive a device enabling them to choose the specific service they require. For instance, if they desire pain relief, they can summon a midwife, whereas if they wish for refreshments, they can contact the catering team. Roberta Fuller, who serves as the programme director for the Women’s and Children’s Hospital at the RCHT, indicated that figures demonstrated a reduction of half a day in the duration new mothers stayed in the hospital since the commencement of the trial. He remarked, “It may not seem like very much, but if you convert that into cash, that is around £75,000 saved on this one ward in a year.” Kath Bell, the manager of the Wheal Fortune ward at the hospital, stated: “We are looking at differentiating the nurse call. “This means the patient will be able call for what they need.” The Silent Hospital Pilot Project has received an extension for an additional 12 months, during which the underlying technology will undergo further refinement. Furthermore, the initiative will incorporate an interactive whiteboard designed to provide staff with task reminders. The trust indicated the potential to implement additional digital silencing technologies throughout the hospital after the conclusion of the trial on the Wheal Fortune ward. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.