Other Titles
Call Light in the Emergency Department: Quality Improvement Project [Title Slide]
Abstract
The call light system is one of the major communication technologies that link staff to patients. In regular hospital rooms patients have a calling alert system that provides this important link. In crowded Emergency Departments (ED), for patients located in hallways, this important connection is often lost. Wireless call system technology is available, and its use has been described e.g., in nursing homes. However, the cost of this technology is still moderately high, it requires a central monitoring system and an attendant, and the small transmitters can easily be lost or discarded in a hectic ED environment. Therefore, there has been a need for an inexpensive and user-friendly solution to address the needs of patients when they are in an area where the usual call light system is unavailable (e.g., common areas and hallways in ED, where patients are on stretchers and wheelchairs).
The purpose of this project was to evaluate the feasibility of a Call Ball staff alert device in the ED. Seven Call Ball prototypes composed of a light, a cord and a switch, were built. These were examined by the hospital's Clinical Engineering department, and were deemed safe for use. The staff was educated during shift change huddles on the use of the device. After IRB approval, the device was tested and satisfaction surveyed in convenience samples that included staff, patients, and visitors (N=50) over a 3-week period.
The prototypes worked without any mechanical malfunctions with several hundred patients. The survey results gathered were extremely positive. Staff commented on the ease of use, light visibility, increased patients' satisfaction and the quiet nature of the alert especially with patients trying to rest. Patients and families reported similar experiences, including feelings of increased safety and feeling connected to staff.
Based on our experiences, use of the Call Ball has been extremely impactful for patients and patient care. The next steps would include testing this device in different settings within our hospital and focusing on its durability and longevity.
Notes
Reference list included in the attached slide deck.
Sigma Membership
Kappa Zeta at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Quality Improvement
Research Approach
Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice
Keywords:
Acute Care, Clinical Practice, Technology in Practice, Emergency Department, Calling Alert Systems
Recommended Citation
Sturges-Perry, Sarah; Smith, David L.; and Hyrkas, Kristiina, "Call Ball – Benefits and Feasibility of a Practical Staff Alert System in ED" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 67.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/67
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-11-20
Call Ball – Benefits and Feasibility of a Practical Staff Alert System in ED
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
The call light system is one of the major communication technologies that link staff to patients. In regular hospital rooms patients have a calling alert system that provides this important link. In crowded Emergency Departments (ED), for patients located in hallways, this important connection is often lost. Wireless call system technology is available, and its use has been described e.g., in nursing homes. However, the cost of this technology is still moderately high, it requires a central monitoring system and an attendant, and the small transmitters can easily be lost or discarded in a hectic ED environment. Therefore, there has been a need for an inexpensive and user-friendly solution to address the needs of patients when they are in an area where the usual call light system is unavailable (e.g., common areas and hallways in ED, where patients are on stretchers and wheelchairs).
The purpose of this project was to evaluate the feasibility of a Call Ball staff alert device in the ED. Seven Call Ball prototypes composed of a light, a cord and a switch, were built. These were examined by the hospital's Clinical Engineering department, and were deemed safe for use. The staff was educated during shift change huddles on the use of the device. After IRB approval, the device was tested and satisfaction surveyed in convenience samples that included staff, patients, and visitors (N=50) over a 3-week period.
The prototypes worked without any mechanical malfunctions with several hundred patients. The survey results gathered were extremely positive. Staff commented on the ease of use, light visibility, increased patients' satisfaction and the quiet nature of the alert especially with patients trying to rest. Patients and families reported similar experiences, including feelings of increased safety and feeling connected to staff.
Based on our experiences, use of the Call Ball has been extremely impactful for patients and patient care. The next steps would include testing this device in different settings within our hospital and focusing on its durability and longevity.
Description
This presentation is introducing an innovation from staff working in the ED, that supports communication and promotes patient safety. The Call Ball device has been received well by staff and it has promoted our patients’ satisfaction and safety.