Summary
A specialist veterinary hospital required a reliable and discreet emergency alert system to improve response times during critical crash events. Previously, there was no formal system in place to notify staff of emergencies across the hospital’s four key building areas. The goal was to deploy a state-of-the-art alerting solution that could function seamlessly within a high-pressure clinical environment without disturbing clients.
Aims/Objectives
The objective was to implement a responsive and tailored crash alert system that would:
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Immediately notify staff of an emergency crash event.
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Display the exact location of the alert.
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Operate discretely and distinctly from other clinical sound alerts.
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Integrate smoothly into all key clinical zones, especially preparation and operating theatres.
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Avoid disruption in client-facing areas.
Context / Background / Problem
The hospital’s clinicians sought a bespoke solution that could distinguish emergency crash calls from the multitude of existing audio alerts from life support and monitoring equipment. A tailored approach was critical to ensure clear and immediate recognition of emergencies, particularly in surgical and prep environments where concentration is paramount.
Why SECOM Was Chosen
SECOM provided a solution that met all the hospital’s technical and functional requirements. Key features included:
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Call and location points installed across the hospital to trigger emergency alerts and identify origin points.
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Advanced touchscreen display units in high-priority clinical areas, programmed to emit a unique sound clearly distinguishable from other medical alerts.
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A flexible and accommodating installation team that worked around the hospital’s operational constraints, ensuring no disruptions to clinical care during the setup phase.
Results
The new alert system has significantly improved response times during emergency crashes:
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Staff are now notified more quickly, with the exact location of the event clearly identified.
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The process is highly intuitive and discreet, ensuring clients remain unaware while clinical staff are rapidly mobilised.
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The installation was executed seamlessly by engineers who demonstrated excellent professionalism and adaptability.
Staff Feedback
Internally, the response has been overwhelmingly positive:
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The system is easy to use and understand.
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It fulfills all clinical requirements and has been integrated into daily operations with minimal training.
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Staff have expressed appreciation for the unique sound alert, which stands out effectively amid other operational noises.
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Quote from Neil Fitzwalter, Head of Care Technology:
“”In a high-pressure clinical environment, seconds count. Implementing SECOM’s alert system has transformed how our team responds to emergencies—making it faster, clearer, and more coordinated. The system integrates seamlessly into our workflow, and its discreet but distinctive alerts ensure we can act immediately without causing distress in client areas. It’s a vital enhancement to our hospital’s safety and care delivery.”
