The fact that radio dispatching of patient transporters is of benefit is without question. You can use any radio and it will be better than nothing, but the radio should have a scrambler for HIPAA compliance although this isn't required if you are careful about what you say. You'll probably need an FCC license, but you can operate without one on some VHF frequencies, under authority and permission of a licensed user, and even without a license if you don't mind paying fines and possible imprisonment. Additional information on FCC licensing is available in the FCC Licensing section of this web page.
Aside from HIPAA and FCC requirements, there is also the issue of noise pollution. Many hospitals simply broadcast instruction messages to all transport personnel simultaneously. This means a lot of speakers are going off when the message has nothing to do with only a single user. The solution to this is to use a selective signalling system known as MDC-1200. You can learn more about MDC-1200 by referring to the FAQ'S section of this web page. For now, let's just say that MDC-1200 is a highly efficienct calling system that allows you to communicate with groups or individuals at the push of a button!
MDC-1200 compatible radios include the Motorola EX-500/600 series, the HT750/1250 series, the HYT TC-700 modeland most ICOM models including the F50V. Not only does MDC-1200 allow you to selectively call an individual radio, but it also provides a means of identifying the person with the personal 2-way radio. This is accomplished by using a base, mobile, or portable radio with an LCD display.
The HYT TC-700 is well suited for transportation use since it includes an internal scrambler and the ability to both encode and decode MDC-1200. Additional information on the TC-700 is available at
www.info4u.us/YouAsked.pdf.
Our personal choice for transportation use is the ICOM F33/43 Series. This MIL-SPEC approved radio is compact, lightweight and affordable at just $349 ($399 with a five year warranty). The F33 (VHF) or F43 (UHF) has a built in scrambler and MDC-1200 encode and decode capability.
This is the same radio used by the U.S. Military in Iraq. It's tough, dependable, and easy to operate.Now the requirement is to obtain a fixed station that is simple to use, efficient, and affordable. That station would be the ICOM F1721/2721 available in your choice of VHF or UHF.
Let's say you have a staff of fifteen patient transporters. You need a base (fixed) station radio that can easily and quickly select the desired person. The way you do that is to get a station that allows you to use a keypad addressable selection. The radio that does that best is the ICOM 2721DT, a UHF station that is capable of operating in both standard analog AND the new P25 digital mode. This station is especially priced at just $1,495 for healthcare users. There is nothing else like it anywhere at anything near our low price!
Now you've got a system! You can easily select and call an individual or a group. You can see the ID of any unit communicating on the system right on the LCD display of the 2721DT station and you can operate in standard or encrypted mode as you choose. Best of all, when it comes time to consider switching to digital, you'll already be there!
Nobody does patient transport systems like Falcon Direct - Nobody!