Importance Of Updated Audio Systems For Healthcare Facilities

When running a healthcare facility, you need to ensure every aspect of your building is working properly. This includes your audio system, which includes alarms, announcements, and media. It’s not uncommon for audio systems to become outdated over time, but it’s up to you to make the necessary upgrades. The following list features several reasons why updated audio systems for healthcare facilities are important for everyone.

1. Paging Guests

It’s easy for families to become separated in a bigger facility, especially if they have separate appointments or are taking turns visiting a loved one. Plus, guests may not hear the notifications on their smartphones. Therefore, they may need to be paged for transportation, medication, or other reasons.

2. Important Announcements

Healthcare facilities use audio systems to make announcements to everyone in the building. This may include visiting hours, gift shop hours, closed-off exits, or parking problems. Without an updated, high-quality audio system, guests and staff members alike may miss these announcements.

3. Effective Communication

Patients and loved ones are not the only guests who need to be paged. You may have heard doctors, nurses, and specialists being paged to a certain area of the hospital, such as a surgeon being paged to the OR. In a workplace where smartphones usually need to be put away, it’s easier and quicker to page one another. This means healthcare facilities need up-to-date audio systems to ensure effective communication with other team members.

4. Fire Alarms

Everyone needs to hear fire alarms go off, especially if they’re being directed to a specific exit or evacuation route. This is why building owners need to frequently test every fire alarm and stay on top of repairs and upgrades. The last thing you want to do is look into a fire alarm repair service in Philadelphia at the last minute. Testing the fire alarms in advance allows you to have the alarms and audio systems repaired or upgraded before an emergency occurs.

5. Educational Content

Some healthcare facilities deliver educational content through audio systems, such as diet and medication management or special events and classes. While some patients may tune these announcements out, this information is still important to others. Providing quality audio systems allows interested parties to get the educational content they need.

6. Calming Music

Many healthcare facilities play music, from favorite tunes to calming instrumentals, over their speaker to put patients’ minds at ease. What may seem like a simple gesture is important to many patients and their guests, so it’s important to ensure the audio systems are working properly. Plus, a little music helps those on staff enjoy their work and pass the time.

7. Watching Video

Just like music, videos can keep patients and guests occupied during appointments and procedures. This ranges from television channels to educational content to calming visuals. However, the video content may not be as enjoyable without the audio. Ensuring the audio and visuals both work goes a long way for many patients and guests.

Part of ensuring your audio system works is staying on top of testing and maintenance. Of course, it’s best to test the audio system during a non-busy time to avoid disrupting patients. If your healthcare facility is consistently busy, sending out a notice can help prepare patients, guests, and faculty members. Everything from your paging system to fire alarms needs to be tested to ensure they’re working properly.

Furthermore, you never want to take fire safety lightly, especially in a healthcare facility where mobility may be an issue for some guests. If you would rather schedule professional fire alarm testing in Lehigh Valley, PA, contact us today. We’re committed to creating a safe environment in spaces such as healthcare facilities.