Nurse Call Button
A patient call button is a device typically situated near a hospital bed,
allowing patients in healthcare environments to remotely alert a nurse or
other staff member of their need for assistance. When activated, the button
sends a signal to staff at the nurse's station, prompting a response from a
nurse or nurse assistant. Some systems facilitate direct communication
between the patient and staff, while others emit audible signals at the
station, necessitating staff to physically visit the patient's room to
assess their needs.
The patient call button offers several benefits:
- Enables bedridden patients with no alternative means of communication to
request assistance.
- Allows patients who may find it challenging or unsafe to leave their beds
to signal for help.
- Provides patients with an enhanced sense of security.
Healthcare staff may also utilize the call button to request assistance from
colleagues, and visitors can use it on behalf of the patient.
However, some patients may develop a habit of excessive call button usage,
leading to staff frustration and alarm fatigue. Alarm fatigue refers to the
reduced response or disregard of multiple alarms that sound frequently
throughout the day, many of which may be false alarms. While staff cannot
ignore such calls, mental health professionals may intervene to address
patients' excessive use of the button.
Laws typically mandate that call buttons must be within the patient's reach
at all times, ensuring accessibility during emergencies. Additionally,
regulations vary by location regarding the required response time for staff
to attend to a call.
It is the responsibility of nursing staff to inform patients about the
availability and usage of the call button and to provide instructions on its
operation.
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