Sentara rolls out remote cameras to keep watchful eye on at-risk patients
Sentara Healthcare is bringing in reinforcements to keep a watchful eye over its at-risk patients.
The health care system is deploying 108 high-resolution cameras in its network of 12 hospitals throughout Virginia and North Carolina. All cameras are scheduled to be operational by mid-February and cost $1.7 million.
Charlene Bridges, director of system resource allocation, said she was asked to create the remote monitoring department following a pilot program that began in 2018 with Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center and Sentara CarePlex Hospital in Hampton.
“We just want to observe and make sure that the patients are safe,” Bridges said. “Sometimes, we don’t have enough staff for one person to sit in a room for 12 hours, so this option was a way that we could add on to those capabilities.”
Following four years of data compilation, product evaluation and establishment of policies and procedures, the cameras officially began their rollout.
The mobile cameras — monitored by a rotating staff of 50 remote patient monitor technicians — provide 24/7 observation to prevent harm to the most vulnerable patients. The cameras can rotate 360 degrees and zoom but are stationary until someone moves them.
Bridges said staff determine which patients would benefit the most from the cameras following an assessment that measures fall risk, care team notes and the patient’s ability to respond to verbal cues.
The cameras monitor physical conditions such as choking, difficulty breathing, pain or any issues in need of immediate attention.
“If the verbal redirection doesn’t work, they can press the alarm to get somebody physically in the room,” Bridges said.
Donna Wilmoth, chief nursing officer at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, said in a news release that the pilot showed a significant reduction in falls through remote verbal intervention.
“We were also able to prevent patients from pulling out IV lines and doing other harmful things through verbal contact and immediate telephone calls to nurses on the floors,” Wilmoth said.
Stressing that the cameras are not a substitute for the nursing staff, safety partners or in-person sitters, Wilmoth said the cameras add another layer of awareness built into patient safety protocols.
Two control centers, one at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center and the second at Sentara Independence in Virginia Beach, maintain a staff of trained monitor technicians, each monitoring six facilities around the clock. Cognizant of patient privacy laws, the system does not record activity and shows only live observation. Audio can be turned off if requested when patients have family meetings, and video can be paused during procedures.
The cameras have the capability of translating 10 languages, including Spanish, Farsi, Russian, Arabic, Korean, Chinese and Kurdish.
Noting the health care shortage is not going away anytime soon, Bridges said systems have to figure out different ways, such as using remote cameras, to continue to provide the best care.
Bridges said Sentara has gotten mixed feedback regarding the cameras.
“People come in and sometimes feel a little bit scared and a little bit lonely, so one of my favorites is ‘now I have a friend to talk to,’” Bridges said. “This program will benefit everyone — the patients, family and staff. It’s just wonderful that we can utilize technology for the good of all.”
Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com
