A mobile application for the Arial Emergency Call platform now is available, Stanley Healthcare announced Tuesday.

The new staff communication tool operates over Wi-Fi. It is part of the release of the Arial 10 software and is available for both the Apple iOS and Android mobile operating systems.

The Arial system allows residents to call for help from portable pendants and wall-mounted call stations, and it captures complete information on an event to enable immediate response and documenting performance. As a native part of the Arial solution, the app, Stanley said, offers:

  • Simple visual controls: Caregivers can see all alerts at a glance, with images to help with identification and color coding to understand status and priority.

  • Smoother workflow: Caregivers can document actions right in the app, selecting from a list or entering custom notes. There is no need to return to a computer or call into a central desk to document response. The app also automatically routes alerts to available staff.

  • Better care coordination: The app clearly shows when a colleague has accepted an alert so that other staff members can continue with their duties. Should assistance be required, the app supports text communication between staff with a live directory of staff members currently on shift.

  • New insights: The app makes it possible to measure the “encounter time” between a caregiver and resident by measuring the time from the caregiver resetting the alarm to completing the event in the app. This metric helps operators understand the resident experience and document response in a more nuanced way than simple response time.

Successful implementation

American Baptist Homes of the West tested the app at the assisted living and residential living areas of its Judson Park continuing care retirement community in Des Moines, WA, according to Stanley Healthcare.

“We have found the Arial app to be a big improvement on previous staff notification devices,” said Beckey Hjaltalin, director of wellness at Judson Park. “The app makes it easier for the caregiver to effectively respond to resident calls. It allows team members to communicate who will respond, and this feature helps us improve individual care planning based on the reasons a resident calls for help. We are able to anticipate and meet resident needs while improving resident safety and satisfaction.”

With the successful validation of the app at Judson Park, ABHOW now plans to deploy it at additional communities where it uses the Arial solution, according to Stanley Healthcare.