Patients are beginning to expect and demand similar services in hospitals as they have access to in their own homes. Many hospitals are changing their look and feel to become more like a home or a hotel.

A bed side terminal allows patients to call for assistance and operate lighting, blinds and other installations. It offers functions such as telephone, television, email, the internet, hospital intranet, video on demand. Having access to homelike amenities reduces the isolation, boredom and stress that most patients experience when hospitalised. This improves patient satisfaction, and it is important to the healing process.

Easy-to-use terminals that combine communications and entertainment functions offer advantages to both patients and caregivers. The terminals can be connected by wire to the hospital’s network, or by wireless broadband for greater flexibility and lower installation costs.