Another US Hospital Adopts British Communications System

June 14, 2013 - PRLog -- Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, has installed two, 12 user headset systems from British wireless communication specialist, Quail Digital.

The hospital, one of Southern California’s premier medical centres, has implemented the systems in the cath EP Labs. Wireless headsets are worn by the physician; scrub technician; X-ray technician; anaesthesiologist; nurse and the control room technicians.

In specialised labs, where control rooms are separate but communication between the two rooms is vital, the capabilities of the Quail Digital system can be fully utilised. One major consideration at Scripps was the need for 12 users on one channel at the same time with talk lock microphones open.  

David Pickering, Scripps cath lab director, says: “In a sterile environment technicians need to have the talk lock mic open before scrubbing in as they can’t be touching buttons.  The previous systems would only allow four users with talk lock.”  

The main benefits of the Quail installation include facilitating consistent, clear but discrete communication between all members of the clinical team. This in turn enhances patient comfort and minimises stress during procedures where patients will be conscious.

“As ambient noise levels in the room rise, so do people’s voices, which can become uncomfortable for the patient,” says Pickering.   “With the headsets, the team can quietly communicate with each other.”

Another consideration in choosing Quail Digital’s solution was weight of the headset. Tom Downes, CEO of Quail Digital says: “Our headset is a fraction of the weight of its competitors, and therefore more comfortable for staff to wear.”

In addition, the previous headsets used at Scripps were originally designed for Drive Thru environments.  They were bulkier, heavier and tended to fall off if staff leaned over a patient.

“Sterile environments would be disturbed if headsets fell off and teams would have to rescrub,” says Pickering.  “The previous headsets were too big and bulky, whereas Quail’s headsets are more specific and appropriate to the purposes they are needed for within the hospital. This environment shows off Quail’s systems and adds value.”

Scripps Memorial Hospital put Quail’s systems through three days of rigorous testing with the bio medical engineers to ensure the system’s frequency did not interfere with their equipment, wireless pagers and other communication systems they had in the labs.

Quail Digital’s communication systems are in active use within a number of US and European hospital networks.

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Editor’s Notes

Scripps Memorial Hospital          

Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla has been one of Southern California’s premier medical centres for more than 80 years. It offers a wide range of clinical, surgical and specialty services.   It is consistently recognized for quality patient care and is the first in San Diego to be designated a Magnet Hospital by the American Nursing Association for excellence in patient care.

Quail Digital          

•         Quail Digital makes high quality digital headset communication systems on the DECT 1.8 GHz band.

•         Quail Digital has been supplying wireless communication systems to leading retail and hospitality brands since 1995 and has successfully diversified into other sectors.

•         Quail Digital was founded in the UK in 1995 with offices in London, Chicago and Frankfurt and resellers in other territories.

•         All Quail Digital systems are assembled, tested and final-dispatched from the UK