Introducing Code Alert® Integrated Care Management (ICM), a wireless call and communication solution designed to help residents of long-term care and/or assisted living facilities notify caregivers that they need assistance. RF Technologies is the first in the industry to offer a WiFi-enabled wireless voice-to-voice call system and to use the call handset for the dual purpose of documenting events and the care administered.

Code Alert ICM uses the Cisco® Messaging Interface to provide mobile event notifications, mobile event classifications, hands-free voice-to-voice communications between caregivers and residents, and remote text messages via the Cisco Unified Wireless Phone. With Code Alert ICM, a desktop unit is typically installed at a nurses’ station or concierge desk, and mobile phones carried by staff members. A phone set is also installed in each resident’s living quarters and common areas such as dining rooms and hallways. When a resident pushes an alert button or pulls a cord in one of these areas, the central server forwards an alert to a designated phone along with the name and location of the resident. The caregiver can then communicate with the resident through the speaker on the nearest phone.

Similarly, Code Alert ICM helps residents alert caregivers that they need assistance wherever they happen to be inside of the facility. A call pendant with an alert button can be worn, and if pressed, the central server will send an alert along with the resident’s name and location to the phone set designated by the facility. Here again, the caregiver can communicate with the resident through the phone set nearest the location of the resident.

Voice-to-Voice Capability
Two-way voice communications is the cornerstone of Code Alert ICM. The system notifies staff of an e-call, an event and associated responses via two-way communications, including new voice-to-voice capability. Caregivers can speak with residents immediately to ascertain the nature of the alert, and in case of an emergency, reassure them while sending help.

A Truly Wireless System
Code Alert ICM operates on a wireless mesh network that routes the data, location and identity of a resident requesting assistance, and instructions between signaling devices. The components of Code Alert ICM are standards-based on the IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee protocol for wireless personal area networks.  The two-way voice communications operate on WiFi. With two-way voice communications, the caregiver can dial in on a mobile phone the type of care that was administered in response to the alert, as well as clear the alert from the phone. Code Alert ICM allows alerts to be sent to a variety of signaling devices such as walkie-talkies, pagers, mobile phones and PDAs. Alerts can also be transmitted by email and text message.

Reporting Capabilities Keep Track
Integrating RF Technologies’ Code Alert Wandering Management and Code Alert Advanced 3-Way Care systems into a single platform, Code Alert ICM allows for fall, incontinence and turning schedule management to be recorded and reported on combined reports. The data from all of the devices involved is captured in Code Alert Version 6.0 software for reporting purposes.