Rehabilitation team uses cutting-edge technology to keep track of patients who might abscond
Healthcare staff at Linden Lodge – a 25-bed neuro-rehabilitation unit based in Nottingham – can monitor patients who might wander by accessing ‘digital tripwires’ and other tracking devices.
As well as having access to tracking devices, staff are using artificially intelligent (AI) CCTV and voice-activated environmental controls in a series of initiatives being trialled by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
The lessons learned will be put into practice at the National Rehabilitation Centre, which is due to open next summer on the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate near Loughborough.
Trials have been funded by The Lister Alliance, an innovation programme developed and funded by Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration initiative.
Linden Lodge ward manager Sarah Davies said: ‘What we find is that a lot of our patients, because of their cognitive impairment, often try to abscond or leave the building. In order to maintain their safety, at the moment we have to place a member of staff with that patient “24/7”.'
Sarah added: ‘By using the technologies, we can digitally prevent that abscond risk, but equally giving that patient more independence.
In addition to the CCTV, the trials include
- real-time asset tracking that allows staff to look on an app to locate a piece of equipment is in the building
- voice-activated environmental controls that support patient independence
- intelligent patient terminals that guide patients through additional rehabilitation exercises using games and other apps
- a ‘digital twin’ of the building that allows staff to see which rooms are in use and to book rooms and equipment
Staff are excited by the technology as they have seen how their ideas have shaped the technology ... to meet their needs and make the rehabilitation experience better for their patients and their colleagues [ Lisa Yates]
To ensure that the right technology is available, staff at Linden Lodge have been involved in the plans for the digital trials since the beginning, as Lisa Yates, the NUH digital strategy lead, explained: ‘We’ve worked closely with staff through focus groups and workshops where we have discussed different types of technologies to get their input on how it would work best, before the technology was introduced.
‘It was through this that we were able to understand how processes currently work and how digital processes can be used to improve those processes.
Lisa added: ‘Until the technology has been implemented in a real, live, patient environment, we don’t fully know how they are going to work, and we need that feedback from patients and staff.
‘As a result, staff are excited by the technology as they have seen how their ideas have shaped the technology being introduced to meet their needs and make the rehabilitation experience better for their patients and their colleagues.’
Releasing 'time to care'
Declan Hadley, healthcare lead at Cisco UK & Ireland, said: ‘Technology has an important role to play in supporting frontline staff to release time to care. However, to achieve all the potential benefits, it is critical that staff are engaged in all stages of the development process. This is something we have successfully achieved with the Linden Lodge programme.
‘For many years, Cisco has been supporting healthcare organisations globally to make the best use of technology. For organisations, like Nottingham University Hospitals who are in the process of rebuilding their estate, having industry partnerships is critical to ensure the technology within those new buildings is fit for purpose for the next 50-plus years.
Declan added: ‘The team at Linden Lodge have put in place a solid foundation, that will enable future developments in Al, robotics and other emerging technologies, which taken together will help patients and staff to achieve better outcomes.’
The Lister Alliance says it works with NHS trusts, practitioners, industry and academia to 'reshape the future of healthcare technology, creating better outcomes for patients'.
Author: I A McMillan
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