Compare Medical Alert Systems

Medical alert systems are useful for disabled persons, living alone, who may need help in an emergency. Medical alert systems consist of a radio transmitter; a base unit with a console, an ultra-sensitive microphone and a two-way speaker, and a monitoring or response center.

A radio transmitter, mostly in the shape of a pendant, bracelet, or wrist watch, is a small wireless piece of equipment with a water-proof button on it. When the button is pressed, the transmitter emits a signal to the base unit connected to the standard phone line. The base unit automatically dials the pre-programmed phone number of the monitoring station to send a help signal, and activates the microphone and two-way speakers. After a connection is established, you can explain your emergency to the operator in the monitoring station. The base unit is connected to the monitoring station over the Internet, using VoIP or DSL technologies.

Internet Technologies

VoIP (Voice over IP) Technology: Signals generated by medical alert systems needs to be converted from digital to analog, while using VoIP. This may distort the signal and hence, VoIP is not considered reliable. A few companies like VRI have developed special software and hardware adapters to solve this problem and are using VoIP technology without a problem.

DSL Technology: This technology uses special hardware to maintain a digital connection between the base unit and the monitoring station. There is no conversion and distortion of the signal. The distance from the monitoring station and the state of the wires imposes limitations on this technology. Companies like AlertOne serve only those with DSL connections.

Number of Users

Medical alert systems are of two types, based on the number of users (transmitters) a base unit serves.

Individual User: The base unit is installed in a home of an individual's personal use and the alert signal is responded to by monitoring center.

Multiple Users: The base unit is placed in a building or a hospital to serve as many as 1000 users. Each individual is provided with a transmitter of his own, and its help signal is monitored and responded to by a nurse's station, or by the monitoring center.

Range and Backup

Medical alert systems are differentiated on the basis of the indoor and outdoor range they can cover. The indoor range of the products varies from 80 to 300 feet. Whereas, the outdoor range varies from 600 to 1,500 feet, with the base unit at the center of the range. Medical alert systems come with an internal battery back-up which, in case of a power failure, can keep you connected to the monitoring station, for as short as 12 hours, or as long as 80 hours.

Service Provider

On the basis of their primary business functions, companies that provide medical alert systems can be segregated as follows:

• Companies in burglar alarms business.
• Companies that are basically into security and related services.
• Companies in the medical alert field that on receiving a help signal from a subscriber, alert the subscriber's friend, family, or emergency services.
• Companies that specialize in medical monitoring. On receiving a help signal from a subscriber, the monitoring station attendants talk to him and, if necessary, send an emergency squad.

Certification

Service providers can further be differentiated on the basis of certification obtained by their central monitoring station operatives. When a central monitoring station is called 100% certified, it means 100% of its operators hold, either of the following certificates.

• Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. is a leading organization in U.S. product safety certification. Only 525 central monitoring stations are U.L. certified.
• The Central Station Association of America conducts courses for the central station operators and a successful candidate is awarded Five Diamond Certification.

Most of the companies providing medical alert systems use medical alert devices made in China or Taiwan, but there are a couple of companies that use 'Made in USA' equipment. VRI is one company that manufactures its own equipments and trains its monitoring station operatives to give an all-under-one-roof service.

Charges

A monitoring center keeps a 24x7 watch over your help signal for a fee. Before contracting a monitoring center, a user should check whether it provides a multilingual service or not. Medical alert systems can be purchased or rented from a service provider. Installation charges vary from company to company. Some companies like AlertOne provide assistance for installation of the equipment free of charge.

Additional Equipment and Expenditure

You have to install a special apparatus that will let you keep in touch with the monitoring station and use the phone extension or Internet. In case an emergency squad may have to enter your home in an exigency, the key can be placed in a lock box for the squad to use.

A person using a medication dispenser can consult the monitoring station operative, about the course of action he should take, in case he forgets a dose. A few medical alert systems also provide a smoke alert facility, and in case of a fire signal, the monitoring station takes appropriate action. This could prove very helpful for those with restricted movement. This system can be said to be, quite literally, at your beck and call, thereby providing you with a sense of security and in turn saving your life.