A connection unit for connecting a plurality of medical devices to a nurse call network, the connection unit comprising: - a plurality of medical device interfaces (110, 120), adapted to receive respective cables connecting to respective ones of said plurality of medical devices (210, 220); - a network interface, adapted to connect to said nurse call network; - an internal control interface; - electronic circuitry, operatively connected to said plurality of medical device interfaces (110, 120), said network interface, and said internal control interface, said electronic circuitry being configured to: o monitor receipt of device alarm signals and losses of connectivity at said plurality of medical device interfaces (110, 120); o relay received device alarm signals and detected losses of connectivity to said nurse call network over said network interface; and o selectively activate and deactivate said monitoring and said relaying upon receipt of predetermined control signals over said internal control interface; and - an external authentication unit interface configured for receiving authentication unit signals from an authentication unit and providing said authentication unit signals as control signals to said electronic circuitry over said internal control interface, whereby said authentication unit is provided with means to authenticate authorized personnel, prior to transmitting said control signals to said electronic circuitry; wherein said authentication unit signals and said control signals comprise medical device interface selection information; and wherein said medical device interface selection information comprises, for one or more of said plurality of medical device interfaces (110, 120), a delayed activation command; said delayed activation command allowing a respective one of said plurality of medical devices (210, 220) to be connected to a medical device interface (110, 120) without relaying any alarms for a predetermined time interval. - a plurality of medical device interfaces (110, 120), adapted to receive respective cables connecting to respective ones of said plurality of medical devices (210, 220); - a network interface, adapted to connect to said nurse call network; - an internal control interface; - electronic circuitry, operatively connected to said plurality of medical device interfaces (110, 120), said network interface, and said internal control interface, said electronic circuitry being configured to: o monitor receipt of device alarm signals and losses of connectivity at said plurality of medical device interfaces (110, 120); o relay received device alarm signals and detected losses of connectivity to said nurse call network over said network interface; and o selectively activate and deactivate said monitoring and said relaying upon receipt of predetermined control signals over said internal control interface; and o monitor receipt of device alarm signals and losses of connectivity at said plurality of medical device interfaces (110, 120); o relay received device alarm signals and detected losses of connectivity to said nurse call network over said network interface; and o selectively activate and deactivate said monitoring and said relaying upon receipt of predetermined control signals over said internal control interface; and - an external authentication unit interface configured for receiving authentication unit signals from an authentication unit and providing said authentication unit signals as control signals to said electronic circuitry over said internal control interface, whereby said authentication unit is provided with means to authenticate authorized personnel, prior to transmitting said control signals to said electronic circuitry; wherein said authentication unit signals and said control signals comprise medical device interface selection information; and wherein said medical device interface selection information comprises, for one or more of said plurality of medical device interfaces (110, 120), a delayed activation command; said delayed activation command allowing a respective one of said plurality of medical devices (210, 220) to be connected to a medical device interface (110, 120) without relaying any alarms for a predetermined time interval.