Table 1.

Advantages and challenges of existing hospital notification systems and Internet of Things (IoT) buttons.

Notification system	Current application	Advantages	Challenges
QR codea readers	Notification systems	Universal code that can be accessed through mobile phones or dedicated barcode scanners	Multistep process to activate Requires a mobile phone with QR reading capability or barcode scanner
Patient call button	Patient-facing notification system to call nursing staff	Recognizable device with simple user interface	No context for notifications
EMRb-based notification rules	Signaling completed tasks based on EMR changes	Improved process flows via EMR events Can be applied quickly through a hospital	Task must be based on EMR change Each new application requires programming
Web-based paging system	Sending custom notifications to providers, hospital staff	Web portal allows for access anywhere	Requires accessing paging system to deliver each notification
IoT Buttons	Patient or staff facing	Notification delivered with push of a button Notifications can be simple or complex actions	Requires installation of buttons Security and privacy issues Programming or configuration of buttons required

^aQR code: quick response code.

^bEMR: electronic medical record.