Two-way radios are commonly used in nursing homes and hospital settings because of the many advantages they offer. Using two-way radios can improve response times when tending to patients. This reduces resident wait time and improves the level of care a facility offers. In some cases, this can even be lifesaving.

Thanks to multiple channels, everyone working within the facility – from nurses to care-aids and administrators – can be assigned their own appropriate channel to communicate across. This helps simplify things and keep the right people in contact at all times.

Who Uses Two-Way Radios in Nursing Homes?

Your entire team will benefit from the use of two-way radios. Here’s a look at some of the key players who can make good use of the powerhouse communication platform.

Nursing Staff: Using two-way radios keeps the entire nursing staff in constant contact and allows other personnel to call for a nurse when they are needed. This allows you to offer faster response times to patient demands and needs. Nursing teams can quickly learn how to utilize two-way radios to efficiently respond to emergencies, while working as a team to take the best possible care of patients.

Security: The ability for security to seamlessly connect with everyone on staff helps keep the entire facility safer. It allows you to keep better tabs on patients, as well as who is coming and going each day.

Housekeeping Staff: Housekeepers work throughout the facility taking care of many different tasks each day. If an accident occurs or immediate housekeeping is necessary, it’s very easy to locate housekeepers on the clock and call them to the area they are needed. This capability reduces downtime and lost productivity while keeping everyone on task.

Maintenance Team: Similarly to housekeeping, the maintenance team is busy working on different tasks each day. If an emergency arises, two-way radios make it incredibly easy to get in touch with the right individuals and get the problem fixed as soon as possible.

Evacuations: In the event of an emergency that requires an evacuation, two-way radios make the process so much easier.

Common Questions About Two-Way Radios in Nursing Homes

Do they violate HIPPA Regulations?

No, as long as the people using them do not use patient names when communicating across the platform.

Do they create any violations regarding noise ordinances?

While many States have noise ordinances in place for nursing homes, two-way radios help to protect these regulations because they offer a quiet and non-distracting way to communicate on the job.

How should Staff wear a two-way radio?

There are different ways to attach a two-way radio onto your person, including an assortment of accessories that make it easy to access as needed. They can also be kept tucked in a smock or the pocket of scrubs.

The Best Two-Way Radios for Nursing Homes

There are a lot of different two-way radios to pick from on the market, and so how do you know which one will work best for your needs? When it comes to finding the best two-way radios for nursing homes and other hospital settings, the key is to find a lightweight radio that can handle being dropped or tossed around. Larger facilities may require radios with a repeater capability.

Some options include:

The Motorola SL300

The Motorola SL-7550 UHF

The Kenwood PKT-23k

The Kenwood NX-320

Want personalized help finding the right radios for your nursing home or other medical setting? Contact the pros at Highland Wireless today! We are more than happy to assist.

The two-way radio market is expected to grow by the year 2024. Here are some interesting facts and statistics about the global two-way radio market, as well as reasons why the industry is set for expansion.

The top players in the industry include Motorola and Kenwood, followed by Icom, Vertex, Yaesu, Pulas, Wintec, Sepura, Linemax, Hytera, and Linton, among others.

A two-way radio is specified as any radio that can transmit and receive a signal. A broadcast receiver is different because it can only receive a signal. On the other hand, a two-way radio is an audio transceiver created to allow for bidirectional person-to-person voice communication with other individuals using compatible radios.

There are a couple different types of two-way radios used throughout the world, Analog Walkie Talkie and Digital Walkie Talkie. They are most commonly used in government and public safety applications, as well as utilities, industry and commerce.

5 Reasons Two-Way Radios Are More Popular Than Ever

The worldwide market for two-way radio equipment is predicted to expand considerably in the coming years. According to the latest data from Global Info Research (GIR), predictions place growth at a CAGR of around 3.5% over the next five years.

This growth is expected to come as a result of many businesses and manufacturers making the switch to or increasing their current usage of two-way radios. 

In our smartphone-crazy world, it might come as a surprise to some that two-way radios are so popular these days. Yet, there are plenty of good reasons more and more businesses are investing in two-way radio technology. In fact, the industry continues to pick up momentum, growing with each passing year. In 2017, the two-way radio industry was estimated to be worth $13.5 billion. By the year 2022, it’ll be worth nearly $30 billion.

In comparison to cell phones, two-way radios are more affordable, easier to use, and much more secure.

#1. More Affordable

Buying a fleet of smartphones for your team will cost you an arm and a leg. Not to mention the cost to provide service to each phone. On the other hand, two-way radios are far more affordable.

#2. More Reliable

In a power outage or emergency situation, cell phone towers go down and can become overburdened by too many people trying to use them at once. As a result, cell phones become useless. This is when businesses need to communicate most, and that’s why two-way radios are so popular, they ensure your team stays in contact no matter what.

#3. Easier to Use with Fewer Distractions

Sure, smartphones can do everything and then some, but all of these add-ons make them more confusing to use and far more distracting to employees – which can slow down productivity.

#4. Making the Switch from Analog to Digital

A primary driver in the popularity of two-way radios is the switch from analog to digital Land Mobile Radios (LMR). This switch has allowed two-way radios to offer much higher standards of performance along with better quality coverage and less power consumption. Analog radios provided a solid communication platform for many years, but digital radios provide so much more – essentially a seamless cloud ecosystem.

#5. More Secure

Two-way radios are very secure, which is important for businesses looking to improve their security. LMRs are easily encrypted to prevent third parties from listening in. Plus, they can be used in harsh conditions and emergency situations.

As you can see, there are many good reasons why two-way radios are gaining popularity across many industries. Interested in setting your team up for success with two-way radios? Highland Wireless can help – contact us today to learn more.

Two-way radios are an important component of a successful business – so what do you do when you have a broken two-way radio on your hands? If you rent or purchase your radios through Highland Wireless, we are available 24/7 to offer assistance and trouble shooting. Yet, sometimes the solution is so simple your team can fix it in minutes. Say for instance the battery is dead or a setting needs to be changed.

3 of the Most Common Two-Way Radio Repairs

Here’s a look at some of the most common two-way radio repairs and fixes we see on a regular basis.

#1. Your Radio Won’t Stop Beeping

Is the non-stop beeping driving you mad and interfering with productivity? There are a few different reasons a radio may start beeping. For one, it’ll often do so right before the battery dies. Try plugging it into the charger or switching out the battery for one with a full charge.

Another reason the radio might be beeping is that it is set to transmit mode. To fix the issue, simply disconnect attached accessories and then reconnect. In addition, you could try turning the radio off and then back on again.

Your radio may also be set to a channel that is not programmed. To see if this is the issue, try turning the transmission on to an active channel with users.

#2. The Radio is Producing Poor Audio Quality

If you are used to receiving crystal clear audio quality and then all of the sudden the line sounds fuzzy, there are a few different issues that could be at play. For one, check the radio’s speaker grill. This is the part of the radio that covers the speaker and microphone, keeping out dust and debris. While good at its job, over time, it may start to build up with debris, especially in industrial settings.

If airborne dust or other types of debris start to clog up the speaker grill, performance issues will follow. Try cleaning the grill and see if that helps solve the problem.

To prevent this issue from happening in the first place, use a custom-fitted carrying case to protect the two-way radio from build-up. In addition, have your radios professionally cleaned from time to time.

Static or overall poor radio coverage may also relate to an old battery that is no longer functioning at full capacity. Batteries that are over one-year old may lose the capacity to hold a charge as long as they once did. They may also drop voltage to the point that the radio has poor performance and a lot of static.

#3. The Battery Is Only Lasting a Few Hours

Battery life on a two-way radio should last throughout the work day, so you know you have an issue on your hands when the battery is only lasting a few hours. The first thing you can do is to make sure the radio is turned off when it is in the charger. Leaving the radio on while charging will prevent it from fully charging and will destroy the battery.

Also, do not use the charger as a stand. Only charge the battery when the radio requires a charge.

If you are charging a brand-new radio, make sure to leave it on the charger for 12 solid hours. Even if you are using a rapid charger that can charge devices in one hour, make sure to leave the radio on the charger for a full twelve hours – even if the light turns green after one hour.

AHJ stands for the Authority Having Jurisdiction and plays an important role in ensuring the safety of your building. It’s paramount that facility managers are clear about what the AHJ is and the role that they play all throughout the life of a building.

Who Is the AHJ?

As opposed to a single entity, the AHJ is comprised of several different agencies. These agencies change depending on the jurisdiction your building resides in, as well as the type of facility you operate, and who “owns” the facility.

For instance, you may be visited by the fire marshal as well as a host of other people who are considered as “the authority having jurisdiction.” All of these people will inspect the property to conduct checks on overall safety in regard to fire, life and electrical safety programs.

NFPA codes classify the AHJ as “an organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.”

In the annex of codes, this definition is further added to:

“Where public safety is primary, the AHJ may be a federal, state, local, or other regional department or individual such as a fire chief; fire marshal; chief of a fire prevention bureau, labor department, or health department; building official; electrical inspector; or others having statutory authority. For insurance purposes, an insurance inspection department, rating bureau, or other insurance company representative may be the AHJ.”

This statement reinforces the fact that the AHJ is typically far more than just an individual entity. Instead, it is viewed as a collective force of representatives from a local government. The AHJ could work for the state or a federal agency, in some cases they come from the private sector, for instance when it comes to insurance.

A hospital would be subject to visitation from a number of AHJs, including:

• Building department and fire department (local government)
• The state fire marshal and state health department (state government)
• Insurance company, accreditation organizations or third-party certification (private sector)

As you can see, all of these players come from different sectors and are focused on unique areas within a building. It requires knowledge of fire code, plumbing systems and electrical systems, just to name a few, to ensure the overall safety of a building.

One Rule for All

The AHJ will not make up rules or bend the laws for any facility. Instead, fire marshals and AHJs are there to enforce locally adopted codes and standards in their jurisdiction. Once these standards are put into place, they become the de facto “law” for that jurisdiction.

At the time, it might feel like a bunch of hoops to jump through, but at the end of the day, the AHJ is there to protect the owner, first responders, building occupants, and overall community. They are simply there to help carry out policy and code. Typically involved in the plan review process, the AHJ essentially works as an ally to the building owner.

The goal of the process is to make sure that the building meets all requirements in terms of construction, architecture and so forth.

A tricky part of the process is figuring out which code is applicable on a case-by-case basis. Some states and local jurisdictions lag behind when it comes to adopting the most recent code. In addition, a code may be adopted on a state level but not yet on a local level. This is where the AHJ becomes your ally, helping you to understand what is required.

There are strict in-building radio coverage requirements for buildings constructed in Miami Beach, Florida. First and foremost, to determine if a new building requires a radio coverage solution, the General Contractor or Owner must receive a preliminary assessment or baseline report of the in-door radio signal. This report must be produced by a qualified company, such as Highland Wireless.

The report will include details about floor plan, and radio signals throughout the premise, along with recommended changes to improve signal strength. A report should be produced before windows and doors are installed, and again after installation.

Qualifying the Designer & Installer

Construction tasks should be conducted to all of the standards outlined by OSHA safety and/or local safety regulations. Contractors are required to comply with related Federal, State and Local Codes and requirements, this includes Florida Building Code.

Important Industry Standards & Codes

• NFPA 1: National Fire Protection Association Fire Code
• NFPA 70: National Fire Protection Code or “National Electrical Code”
• NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
• NFPA 780: “Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems”
• Motorola R-56: “Standards and Guidelines for Communication Sites”
• TIA Bulletin TSB-88.1-C: Wireless Communication Systems Performance in Noise-Limited Situations, Part 1: Recommended Methods for Technology-Independent Performance Modeling
• Florida Building Code
• ANSI/TIA-222-G: Structural Standard for Antenna Supporting Structures and Antennas
• IEEE STD 142 “Green Book”: “Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems”
• ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B: “Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard”
• ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-B: “Commercial Building Standards for Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces”
• ANSI/TIA/EIA-606: “The Administration Standard for the Telecommunications Infrastructure of Commercial Building”
• ANSI/TIA/EIA-607: “Commercial Building Grounding and Bonding Requirements for Telecommunications
• In addition to all other relevant Federal, State, and Local Building Codes and Requirements

Turn-Key Solution

The designer and/or installer must provide a “turn-key” solution for the design, installation and testing of in-building RF coverage system that meet all requirements. A minimum signal strength of -95 dBm is required for the downlink signal throughout the entire facility. The DAQ must measure 3.4 or greater and is mandatory at all times.

When it comes to Critical Areas, the in-building RF solution may provide coverage across 99% of building area.

Critical areas include mechanical and utility rooms, as well as public restrooms, elevators, stairs, and exits. In addition, they include Police holding areas, fire pump rooms, sprinkler sectional valve locations, elevator lobbies, elevator shaft, and any other area that is defined by the ruling agency. Critical areas must be confirmed before work may proceed.

Testing BDA uplink signal is not an easy task and involves taking measurements of the infrastructure of the Public Safety radio system. The completed system must offer full coverage in the frequency bands or channels as detailed by the ruling agency.

In Miami Beach, “the downlink and uplink frequency bands of the 800 MHz Public Safety signal booster are 851-861 MHz and 806-816 MHz, respectively.”

Signal Boosters

The signal booster is to be installed in a bright red NEMA 4 enclosure that locks. In addition, all power equipment must be stored in the same manner, with the capability of supplying at least four hours of emergency power supply.

The Exterior Antenna

The donor antenna must be high-gain, vertically polarized and specific to the operating frequency. Corner reflector-type or Yagi antennas are recommended.

In addition, the coaxial cable feed located outside of the building must be weatherized with a lightning protector.

In-Building Antennas

The in-building system must contain the appropriate number of antennas throughout the building, as well as in attached structures, so that coverage criteria is met. If using splitters or another type of active/passive component, it must be mounted in a separate 2 hour rated/fire resistant color yellow code junction box that is easy to access but out of harm’s way when it comes to unauthorized interference.

For a full list of requirements, codes and specifications: https://www.highlandwireless.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/CITY-OF-MIAMI-BEACHBDA-INSTALLMENT-GENERAL-GUIDELINES.pdf

At Highland Wireless, we make compliance easier than ever. We even offer free pre-testing of signal strength as well as site surveys. Learn more or contact us today to set up your consultation