Despite the growing use of smartphones, healthcare settings have continued to use pagers to help with effective communication and better patient care.
How Does Paging Work?
Pager systems use transmitters which are highly powerful, meaning they have superior coverage across large areas. They simultaneously broadcast messages from several towers within a zone, and even if one tower goes down, messages will still be sent. This wireless coverage, which uses satellite connections, provides a vital overlapping service with smartphones in case of damage or failure of internet connection. They come in a variety of ranges to suit different settings and are available from companies such as dinggly.com
Secure Messaging
One reason why pagers are often used in healthcare is the introduction of encrypted systems in 2016, allowing for data to be securely shared. Quick, efficient communication is vital to ensure patients receive the best quality of care, and blending the use of pagers and smartphones means that staff members can be reached on the devices they prefer using. Both smartphones and pagers can work together, receiving the same alerts. The NHS is still using around one in ten of all pagers globally, which shows that they remain popular.
Cost-Effective Reliability
A pager system is simple to use and set up and is a cost-effective way of sending critical messages. Unlike smartphones, they don’t rely on a WiFi connection, meaning they never stop working due to lapses in coverage. If a pager is lost, it can quickly and easily be replaced at little cost compared to a smartphone.
Pagers are great in critical situations, as healthcare staff can send messages quickly and reliably without the need for an internet connection. This is why they are still often used: due to their simplicity, reliability and longevity.
In summary, pagers continue to be popular with healthcare professionals, as they can coexist with smartphones and other modern technology to provide maximum coverage and the best communication. They are not only useful for roles which don’t use smartphones but also in times of emergency, when other systems have failed.