Pagers may seem a little outdated these days. However, they still play an important role in healthcare systems as a secure, reliable way to contact staff, patients or family members in time-sensitive situations.
How Pagers Work
Also known as bleepers or beepers, pagers are a type of small, portable device that can be used to send brief messages. They are wireless and operate on a national network of transmitters with overlapping coverage, meaning they often continue to receive a signal when mobile phones are unreliable. This is why they are often used in healthcare systems to alert carriers to an emergency. A modern pager system, such as one from dinggly.com, may include a range of different features.
Types of Pagers
There are different types of pagers that can be appropriate in a variety of healthcare situations:
Conventional Pagers
What you probably imagine when you picture a pager, this one-way device has a small screen with room for four lines of letters and numbers to deliver your message. It is quick and clear, letting you know there is an emergency and if you need to call for more information. The long battery life allows you to carry it with you all day.
Encrypted Pagers
Healthcare often requires the sharing of private medical information that is legally protected. An encrypted pager allows a healthcare team to have access to all relevant details without worrying about unauthorised access. Again, they have a reliable signal and long-lasting battery life, ideal for transplant teams and similar.
Waiting Room Pagers
A lot of waiting can be involved in a trip to a hospital, from patients who need results from their tests to friends and family wondering when their loved one will return. A pager gives you the freedom to leave the waiting room without worrying that you will miss an important update, and it is less intrusive than an announcement on a hospital-wide intercom.
The different types of pagers and the many roles they can play mean they are likely to continue to serve a vital role in healthcare systems.
