As the future brings ever-rising energy and electricity prices, the arguments for switching to energy-saving LED technology become more and more convincing. Healthcare facilities use their lighting 24/7/365. Hospitals use 2.5 times the energy of similar-sized commercial buildings—and about half of that energy use is for lighting.

When patients are placed in hospital beds, there is one piece of equipment they feel is their lifeline: the call light. Care providers say things such as, “If you need anything, just press this button and we will be there,” or “If you start feeling worse, I want you to call me right away!” One can imagine how frequently a dome/corridor light is illuminated each hour, day or year. According to Massachusetts General Hospital, nurses respond to 60,000 nurse calls per year. That equals a staggering number of times bulbs are lit outside patient rooms.

With this in mind, The U.S. Congress passed an energy bill banning the use of incandescent light bulbs by 2014. Higher wattage incandescent light will begin to be phased out as early as 2012. Manufacturers are planning ahead and releasing dome lights with LED technology for nurse call systems. LED lamps are rated for long life— the lifespan of most LED lamps is a staggering 50,000 (or more) times that of a regular incandescent light bulb.

Hospital staff will no longer need to spend time changing light bulbs on dome lights outside patient rooms. Expenses will decrease, since it can cost $20 or more to replace one bulb; after a request is submitted to maintenance, the request is passed to purchasing, and time is spent responding to the location. Furthermore, since nursing staff depend on these call lights, a non-functioning incandescent bulb may mean substantial response delays.

TekTone’s LED corridor lights provide visual indication of calls originating from patient, staff, duty, bath, emergency, presence and code call stations. Patient priority and staff presence are indicated by domes with LEDs in two colors (red and white), four colors (amber, green, red and white) or programmable colors.

When used with a patient or staff station, the light indicates all calls originated from that room. When used with a multipurpose or duty station, the light may be used as a zone light.

Other features and benefits of TekTone® LED call lights include:

  • UL® 1069 Listed and cUL® Listed.
  • No bulb replacement equals more savings for facilities—LED life is 10× that of an incandescent bulb.
  • Excellent visibility when LEDs are lit—bright and easily visible from all angles.
  • Unobtrusive when LEDs are off—attractive new curved face has a single frosted white lens to blend into any décor.
  • Energy efficient—LED lamps remain cool to the touch, and since they convert nearly all their input electricity into light instead of producing heat, LEDs use 16× less electricity than incandescent bulbs.
  • Durable—LED lights have no fragile filament or tube, and are resistant to heat, cold and shock.

About TekTone®

Founded in 1973, TekTone® designs and manufactures UL® Listed nurse call, wireless emergency call, apartment entry, radio pocket paging and area of rescue assistance systems. All of TekTone’s nurse call systems include corridor and zone lights with LED technology. For more information, call the TekTone® Sales Department at (800) 327-8466.


1 (Department of Energy Announces the Launch of the Hospital Energy Alliance to Increase Energy Efficiency in the Healthcare Sector, 2009)

2 (Patient Care Services, 2010)

A family-owned business committed to providing quality intercommunication solutions at competitive prices, supported by conscientious customer service, for the Health CareResidential, and Commercial markets.

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are health care facilities that offer patients the convenience of having surgeries and procedures performed safely outside the hospital setting. This trend in healthcare is a growing new market and TekTone has designed our systems to offer valuable nurse and emergency call capabilities to ASC patients.

ASC

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC), also known as Life Plan Communities, are designed for seniors who are currently living independently, but want the safety and security of being cared for as they age without having to relocate. As a resident’s health declines, he or she may transition from an independent living residence to assisted living, to an intermediate or skilled nursing facility—all on one campus. TekTone offers systems specialized in adapting to the changing needs of CCRCs, while keeping resident’s safety and security a top priority.

CCRC

A skilled nursing facility (nursing home, convalescent home, care home or rest home) provides a place of residence for those who require continuous nursing attention. Services available in skilled nursing facilities include assistance of nurses, nursing aides and assistants; physical, occupational and speech therapists; social workers, recreational assistants; and living space. In some instances, residents may reside in skilled nursing facilities to receive rehabilitation or other therapy following an illness or accident.

SKILLED NURSING

Assisted living / independent living facilities usually have a campus-wide call system so a resident can notify caregivers by initiating a call from a personal pendant or emergency button press/pull. The systems specified for these types of facilities are usually referred to as emergency call systems or personal emergency response systems. Call system requirements in assisted/independent living vary, but may be mandatory in some states. Assisted living facilities may prefer a combination of Tek-CARE wireless and wired technology, with pull-cord stations, call buttons and wireless pendants to ensure staff members are notified efficiently and quickly.

ASSISTED LIVING

Nurse call systems for hospitals, microhospitals and cancer centers must offer more than the ability for a patient to call for a nurse. These systems are now about total solutions to improving facility performance. Performance is identified as improving efficiency in terms of facility goals (rounding, reducing time to answer calls, tracking staff performance using metrics), improving staff satisfaction, and improving patient satisfaction.

HOSPITAL INFO

Nurse call systems in high security facilities, such as psychiatric and behavioral health facilities, require the implementation of advanced features to protect against vandalism and to provide accurate monitoring and reporting options.

PSYCHIATRIC & BEHAVIORAL

TekTone‘s National Accounts Program is specifically structured for organizations that have multiple facilities. Whether you are a local, regional or national organization, our national account program provides you with high quality healthcare communications and a world-class service network.

NATIONAL ACCOUNTS

HEALTHCARE

The Tek-CARE platform provides customizable communication solutions for all types of healthcare facilities. TekTone’s wired and wireless nurse call systems provide flexible features and integrations to assist staff members in providing the greatest care for residents. In addition to the safety and security provided by the nurse call system, TekTone also offers the Tek-CARE Wander Management system to help keep at risk residents away from harm and Fall Detection and Monitoring offering peace of mind for caregivers, residents, and their loved ones. With the Alert Integration Manager, these systems can be integrated to display calls at one convenient location, as well as provide customized management reports. Along with reporting, the Tek-CARE Staff App can be used to notify staff on-the-go using iOS or Android devices or display monitors using Tek-CARE TV.

 

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL

TekTone’s roots lie in the manufacturing and design of apartment entry systems. With multiple station options, custom engraved panels and retrofit capabilities, Tek-ENTRY apartment systems provide a convenient and reliable communication path for residents. Also available is the Tek-SAFE Area of Rescue Assistance System for areas out-of-reach of communication in the event of an emergency.

Where to Buy

TekTone products are available through hundreds of distributors and service providers around the world. Click on Where to Buy to contact your regional manufacturer’s representative or to inquire about your nearest TekTone Elite Partner.


Hours of Operation

TekTone Production and Shipping department hours are Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.

Sales and Technical Support department hours are Monday through Friday  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.
For technical assistance, contact our Tech Support team.

When you call TekTone, our automated telephone system gives you these dialing options:

• 2 – Sales Department
• 3 – Technical Support
• 4 – Vendor Relations
• 5 – Accounts Payable
• 6 – Accounts Receivable
• 0 – Operator

Technical Support FAQs

Click here for a list of Technical Support FAQs.

General Questions


If you have questions about Sales, Technical Support, National Accounts, or Systems Design, please click on the link below for our full contact form.

Contact Info

324 Industrial Park Road
Franklin, NC 28734 USA

800.327.8466
828.524.9967

828.524.9968

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