Lubbock, Texas-based UMC Health Systems announced this week that it will deploy artificial intelligence to help keep its patients and staff safer from gun violence.
The technology is from ZeroEyes, the company that develops weapons detection systems. In just three to five seconds, AI software that scans real-time video footage can alert ZeroEyes Operations Center 24/7, which is run by US military and law enforcement veterans. Training period. It provides weapon photos and information about the gun type and last known location to local staff and the UMC Health System security team.
WHY IT IMPORTANT
ZeroEyes, U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SAFETY Act Designation Holder, is the latest addition to UMC’s multi-layered security system that includes internal police force, security personnel Security is 100% equipped, scanners, alarm buttons and cameras are strategically located throughout the campus, according to a Tuesday announcement from the health system.
UMC has 5,000 staff and 500 hospital beds. It is the primary teaching hospital for the Texas Tech University Health Science Center. It is also the only Level I Trauma Center serving West Texas and Eastern New Mexico.
Using AI with existing video technology to detect what ZeroEyes refers to as “illegal gun swings near or in an inhabited area or building” and achieving situational awareness is part of the effort. efforts to increase security and enhance safety while maintaining hospital accessibility. hospital said.
Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes said: “We often see hospitals as places of healing, so it’s frustrating to admit that they can also be the setting of related tragedies. to the gun.
TREND TO BIGGER
It is not uncommon to flip through news headlines and see that doctors, nurses and other clinicians in private clinics, clinics and hospitals have been labeled as victims of gun violence. bullet. The impacts on healthcare providers extend far beyond the victims, causing disruptions in patient care and trauma to colleagues, patients, and guests affected by the discharges. active gun.
Violence in healthcare spaces often spikes during pandemics and has increased spending on security and advanced weapons detection to protect staff and patient safety.
American Journal of Managed Care found that seven out of 10 emergency physicians report being assaulted in the workplace, and 44 percent of nurses report physical abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Michael Dowling, president and CEO CEO of Northwell Health.
“With US healthcare facilities accounting for 18.3% of GDP and 22 million jobs (by 2021), the environment represents the only exposure across the organization that needs to be protected,” he wrote in a report. Healthcare IT News contributed, AI can help keep healthcare workers safe last month.
“When unmitigated gun violence – and violence in general – is left unchecked in any of our facilities, the physical and psychological impact can be severe, long-lasting, even devastating. In addition to injury and loss of life, the consequences of unchecked gun violence cause worker anxiety, loss of productivity and workday, as well as significant legal and reputational damage.” he said.
A more recent survey found that 40% of healthcare workers have experienced at least one incident of workplace violence within the past two years. According to Premier Inc., a healthcare innovation company, nurses are the most frequently abused.
RTLS technology, which allows staff to discreetly send panic alerts from active RFID location-enabled badges, is also used to alert staff safely to protect healthcare workers.
ON PROFILE
Mark Funderburk, chief executive officer of UMC, said of ZeroEyes technology implementation: “UMC is the first hospital in the region to use AI-based gun detection security measures. “Our goal is for sure – to make sure our healthcare team and patients feel safe and secure.”
Andrea Fox is the senior editor of Healthcare IT News.
Email: [email protected]
Healthcare IT News is a publication of HIMSS Media.
