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Simple, cost-effective digitalization that is safe and secure

Alterswohnen STS AG, a subsidiary of Spital STS AG, operates 135 inpatient beds and 58 assisted-living beds across Steffisburg, Thun, Zweisimmen, and Saanen in Switzerland.

Project overview

The initiative, driven by Alterswohnen STS AG in collaboration with Lean Hospital Consulting of Swisscom, aimed to enhance resident and employee safety. The first implementation occurred in 2017 at the Bergsonne home in Zweisimmen, which features a nursing department, senior residences, serviced apartments, and a dementia ward. The project then expanded to Spital STS AG, the Burgstrasse home in Thun, and the Glockenthal home in Steffisburg.

Project requirements

The new system needed to prioritize resident and employee safety, integrate with additional systems like fire alarms, and combine telephony with nurse call systems.

The solution

The developed solution includes:

- A wireless nurse call system with room buttons and alarm wristbands for residents

- The Ascom Myco smartphone, designed for nursing care

- A Swisscom Corporate Mobile Network (CMN) providing a flexible setup without complex infrastructure needs

Resident safety is further ensured by backup wired station terminals, which activate if the wireless network fails. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) maintains power during outages, ensuring alarms remain functional and visible on wired terminals, thus ensuring no alarms are lost.

Thanks to extensive redundancy, no alarms are ever lost—they will always appear on the wired station terminals. Additionally, the entire system is protected by an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), ensuring that minor power outages do not disrupt operations.
Michael Kopp
Technical Service Director of Alterswohnen STS AG

Interoperable solution promotes efficiency

Integrating other systems while ensuring high safety standards was crucial. The solution allows different locations to receive virtual communication and alarm services from the ICT infrastructure of Spital STS AG in Thun. The night mode feature enables caregivers to manage multiple locations simultaneously, reducing costs and conserving resources while ensuring continuous resident safety.

Optimized alarm system

When triggered, alarms go directly to the caregiver's Myco smartphone, displaying the resident's needs and location. The display on the smartphone allows caregivers to read alarms even when the phone is attached to their gown, reducing unnecessary walking.

Previously, resident alarms could only be displayed on the ward terminal, which meant more walking for the staff.

Safety and privacy

Caregivers can quickly call for help using wearable fobs managed through user-friendly software. If a fob is lost, it can be easily replaced in the system.

Locators monitor disoriented residents attempting to leave protected areas, alerting caregivers via the Myco smartphone to quickly and discreetly bring them back to safety.

This innovative solution shows how the digitization of retirement homes can be realized, even in small steps, with manageable effort.
André Streit
Managing Director of Alterswohnen STS AG
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