S-Tag - for Hospital staff
Ultrasound Brings Major Enhancements to Attack Alarm Technology
Accuracy, reliability and real time monitoring for staff attack alarm systems have been greatly enhanced through advanced ultrasound technology now incorporated into Static Systems Group (SSG) Fusion-IP healthcare communication system.
September 18, 2011 As with most other attack alarm systems, members of staff are issued with a discreet transmitter which is attached to a belt or other item of clothing. When an incident occurs the alarm is raised by activating the transmitter, but this is where the similarity with other systems ends.
SSG’s new real time location (RTLS) system, which can be provided as standalone or as part of a nurse call system, is just one application of the company’s advanced Fusion-IP range. It displays a higher level of room accuracy and staff member location and is more robust than many other technologies.
Unlike infra-red signaling, traditionally used in many systems ultrasound is immune to interference from light sources such as the sun and also electromagnetic “noise”. Ultrasound signals simply bounce off hard surfaces such as walls, floors or ceilings, and will not penetrate glazed walls and partitions, making the identification of rooms and staff positions more accurate and reliable.
The powerful Fusion-IP logic software provided with the SSG system analyses the last known location of the ultrasound signal and once activated by a user in the event of an attack if they should move from the original alarm location, the system tracks them in ‘real time’.
Ultrasound transmitters are ‘addressable’ enabling individual identification of staff members, and they also incorporate a programmable function button which can be used for site specific functions such as door entry.
Static Systems’ Chief Engineer, Richard Tew comments: “We are very excited by the use of this technology as it offers potential for future development way beyond the boundaries of current thinking.
“The technology behind Fusion-IP makes the system suitable for other applications including: wireless patient-to-nurse call, wandering patient, safe hands, slips, trips and falls monitoring, asset security and door access control.
“In addition, the technology can be used to provide ‘staff presence’ as a fully integrated part of the nurse call system, and other facilities from the Fusion-IP product range can be incorporated including ‘follow-the-light’, and VoIP communication,” explained Mr Tew.