Some Medical Alarms Not Working

Medical alarm suppliers are advising clients some alarms
may not be working because of power, cellular and phone line
outages.

Medical alarms are used to alert emergency
services (Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance)
if the client has a medical emergency.

The chair of
the Telecare Services Association (TSANZ.org.nz), Nick Coley,
says the cyclone has disrupted services in some parts of the
country.

But he’s urging clients not to test
their alarm to see if it’s working.

He says
in the event of normal alarm faults, suppliers will contact
clients (if they are able to) by phone and/or cellular
networks, if they are usable.

In those
locations that are currently experiencing power and cellular
outages, suppliers will make contact once services have been
restored where ongoing faults continue to be reported from
the alarm equipment.

He says all medical
alarms will notify the client if there is a power fault, or
loss of AC power. Alarms have a backup battery that should
last about 60 hours.

Alarms will also send a warning
if affected by a cellular fault or power outage.

A
light on the alarm will flash and the unit will sound a
voice message advising the user of any problems with the
alarm equipment.

Coley says users can cancel the
audible alarm warning by pushing the cancel button.

He
advises clients whose alarms are not working and who require
emergency medical assistance to immediately ring
111.

“Medical alarms that are not operating at the
moment will come back on stream as soon as local power,
cellular connectivity and phone line access is restored,”
Coley
said.

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