“improvement [with BEAMS] comes from getting the right person into the room first time, and therefore, reducing the number of unnecessary interactions between staff and patients.”
Chief Nursing Officer, Bupa Cromwell Hospital, London.
Infection control in healthcare settings is a complex challenge at any time of the year, but it becomes particularly critical in the winter and on wards with highly vulnerable patients. For cancer inpatients, the risk is particularly acute. Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapies compromise patients’ immune systems, leaving them more vulnerable to common pathogens. During winter months, the surge in seasonal illnesses—ranging from the common cold and influenza to more serious respiratory infections and COVID-19—puts additional strain on hospitals, making stringent infection control measures essential for safeguarding cancer patients.
In such a high-risk environment, every aspect of patient care, staffing protocols, and resource management must be examined and optimised to reduce the infection risk. Smart, data-driven technology is playing an increasingly vital role in this effort, supporting more precise infection control practices, improving patient safety, and even reducing costs. Systems like BEAMS (Bedside Equipment Alarm Management System) can have a transformative impact on infection control by minimising unnecessary patient interactions and enabling more targeted responses to patient needs, which is crucial on oncology wards.
For cancer inpatients, even minor infections can quickly become serious, with severe consequences for health outcomes and recovery.
The increased volume of patients in hospitals during winter also heightens the likelihood of infections spreading within healthcare facilities. This risk is compounded by the greater workload for hospital staff and the frequent movement of staff across different departments and wards, increasing the risk of cross-contamination. Therefore, reducing unnecessary contact and ensuring the right professional attends to a patient first time is a key strategy to limit infection risks in these settings.
Traditional approaches to managing bedside medical alarms often involve multiple interactions, with various staff responding to alerts, checking devices, and then calling in the relevant specialist if needed. This well-intentioned process can lead to unnecessary patient contact and increased infection risks in cancer wards. BEAMS offers a targeted solution by ensuring that the right healthcare professional responds to a medical device alarm the first time.
BEAMS ‘listens’ for bedside medical alarms and provides ward staff with both a spoken and visual notification as the device alerting and location of that device.
“attention required in room 6, Philips V60 High Priority Alert”
With a detailed alarm alert, ward staff can enter a patient’s room prepared for the action needed to be taken. This not only reduces the response time (data shows a reduction of up to 75% in response time) but also reduces the number of staff interactions with the patient, helping to minimise the chance of infection.
In addition to supporting infection control, minimising unnecessary interactions also leads to significant cost savings, particularly in the area of personal protective equipment (PPE). By reducing the number of interactions through systems like BEAMS, hospitals can lower the daily consumption of PPE, leading to substantial savings over time.
Not only does this bring down operational costs, but it also helps hospitals use limited resources more sustainably—a crucial factor during winter months when demand for PPE is high across all departments.
Infection control isn’t just about reducing risk; it’s also a vital component of improving patient safety and outcomes. Cancer patients, who may already be experiencing physical weakness, discomfort, and emotional stress, benefit from fewer disruptions and a quieter ward environment. By ensuring the right person attends to a device alarm first time, BEAMS minimises disruptions, helping patients rest more effectively and focus on recovery.
For staff, BEAMS improves efficiency by streamlining workflows and reducing unnecessary steps in responding to patient alarms. This can lead to reduced burnout and enhanced focus on patient care, as healthcare professionals can prioritise their time more effectively. Matrons on wards using BEAMS have reported efficiency savings of 6 hours per day due more efficient bedside medical alarm management.
Infection control remains a critical priority in oncology wards, particularly during the heightened infection risk of the winter season. Cancer patients are among the most susceptible to hospital-acquired infections, and every preventive measure can make a meaningful difference in their care. By reducing unnecessary patient interactions, BEAMS supports hospitals in upholding high standards of infection control while also lowering PPE costs and optimising staff workflows.
The winter months bring a predictable surge in infections and this additional burden underscores the need for innovative solutions in infection control and patient care. Systems like BEAMS represent an essential tool in this effort, providing wards with a means to protect vulnerable patients effectively and sustainably.