Requirement

Whilst the use of Zoom, MS Teams or Google Meet and mobile phones in offices has more or less eliminated the need for a conventional telephone system, the hospice environment is different.  Relatives and visitors expect to be able to call in to a central switchboard number and have their call handled efficiently.

There are two kinds of phone systems for hospices

• On-premises systems
• Internet-hosted systems

Technology

Internet-hosted systems are less expensive to install and maintain but do require a working Internet connection at all times.  If the hospice is using cloud-based software for patient records, administration and finance, it will need a dual redundant Internet connection and can share this resilience with a hosted phone system such as 3CX. https://www.3cx.com/

However, if the Internet connection is not completely dependable, an on-premises telephone system is a better choice.  There are now very few on-premises telephone systems with a long-term future.  The major manufacturers such as Avaya and Mitel seem to be uninterested in smaller customers.  That leaves companies like Panasonic Panasonic KX TDE.com with its KDE range including KDE 100 and 200 and the on-premises version of 3CX.

You will need to buy the system through an approved telephone system supplier who will be able to advise on:

• the number and type of trunk lines to order
• type of hand-sets to buy for each type of user
• configuration of the system for day and night use
• integration with Wi-Fi calling to medical staff smart phones

In comparing alternatives you will need to consider maintenance costs over a 5-year cost of ownership.   It is also possible to save money by using low-cost desk phones from a company such as Yealink rather than the proprietary phones from the system manufacturer.   IP phones need an Ethernet network port with Power over Ethernet (PoE), but this port can be shared with a desktop PC or laptop.

 

Panasonic KX TDE 200 Telephone system

Low cost IP desk phone with PoE