Employing Technology to Aid in Patient Safety

Some hospitalized patients require more monitoring and supervision than others do. It could be that they are a fall risk, have an altered mental state or confusion, or even have dementia. Hospitals and health systems across the country have employed safety technicians who sit in the patients rooms to watch them and ensure their safety. Challenges in staffing these roles led us at Lee Health to innovate, and now we are using technology to keep a constant close eye on our high-risk hospitalized patients. Virtual Patient Observation (VPO) started as a pilot program at HealthPark Medical Center before expanding to the other hospital campuses and Lee Health Coconut Point. With this program, a lead virtual safety technician wheels a camera cart into the room, and a virtual safety technician watches a live feed of the patient's room. The camera doesn’t record, and can pivot if the nurse says the patient needs privacy.