Violence in hospitals affects all levels of staffing. According to a 2019 study conducted by the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU), 61% of nurses reported experiencing abuse, harassment, and assault in their workplaces. In a ‘Violence Facing Health Care Workers in Canada’ report by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health conducted that same year, the committee heard that 50% of all attacks on health care workers occur in emergency department settings.
Workplace violence impacts delivery of care to patients, further increases staff shortages related to workplace injuries, and results in workplace burnout and stress. In looking for solutions to support de-escalation of violence in health care settings, the committee proposed personal safety response systems allowing workers to call for help, and security personnel and protocols to respond to violence.
Technological advancements in surveillance cameras are playing a significant role in staff security and safety, with cameras increasingly using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Deep Learning capabilities to fight back against aggression in the field.
“In the past, traditional security technology was reactive,” says Paul Baratta, Manager of Industry Segments with Axis Communications Inc. “Something would happen, then security would go back to access control and review the video to figure out what happened. Today, we use analytics, artificial intelligence and IP video. If something occurs, we’re responding to it immediately, not after the fact.”
Striving to improve the three tiers of efficiency for nursing and patients: traditional security, patient care and operational efficiency, Axis gathers the most advanced technology through a structured partnership program collaborating with specialists world-wide. One of these partners, Sound Intelligence, has developed an acoustic analytic that monitors audio for agitation and aggression. This has now been integrated into Axis cameras.
“Most violence starts with verbal aggression, so we’re able to predict a problem and nip it in the bud before it escalates,” Baratta says. To verify the volume and tone is not just heightened enthusiasm, video cameras back the report up, allowing security personnel to swiftly intervene if needed. “Our technology helps with observation. By using our video, audio and analytics, we’re able to watch more patients safely and with fewer security officers. It also listens for unique sounds like gunshot.”
‘Edge Analytics’ refers to a security camera’s built-in video analytics—a technology involving AI and deep learning from inside the camera itself. Panoramic cameras provide 360 vision for a complete view of the environment. Pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) cameras allow for wide-area coverage with the ability to zoom in for accuracy, detail and definition, allowing health care workers to analyze the readings on the hospital equipment.
‘On board’ or wearable surveillance cameras are also proving valuable. With high-definition audio and video, recordings from on-board cameras are being used as evidence in court. They also act as excellent ‘first-person’ training tools, and an added layer of security and safety for the wearer.
Their presence alone acts as a deterrent, says Baratta: “In the United States and Canada, recordings become part of the formal patient records. We’ve seen a decrease in violence … because now it’s being recorded and documented.”
The use of wearable surveillance cameras is already paying off in Canada: “Two hospitals, one in Toronto and one in Montreal, are using the video on their security team,” he explains. “Within days of us deploying the cameras, a major complaint was made against a security officer. The security team responded, saying there was video footage of the incident and invited the complainant to come in and review it. As a result, the person decided not to proceed with their complaint.”
For patient care, telemetry alarms and video analytics help nursing staff identify an event that has occurred and assess whether it is a false alarm. “The patient is getting better care because it can more easily be determined if the alarm requires urgent action.”
Axis Communication systems are being used in thousands of rooms in hundreds of hospitals and are integrated with electronic medical record systems like Epic.
“We can provide two-way communication with a patient. Our video and audio can be used by a specialist to meet with a patient remotely and review the telemetry and electronic medical record systems to provide care and advice for that patient.”
Video, audio, and access control systems are being integrated into forward-thinking hospitals world-wide. Their use increases personal safety for staff, patients, and visitors, acts as a deterrent and tracking system for hospital theft, and manages incidents in real-time, ensuring security personnel can react quickly and with a clear record of the incident. Using deep learning technology and AI, surveillance cameras in hospitals are breaking new ground.
Axis Communications enables a smarter and safer world by creating solutions for improving security and business performance. As a network technology company and industry leader, Axis offers solutions in video surveillance, access control, intercom, and audio systems. Learn more at www.axis.com.
