High Technology and Artificial Intelligence Against Violence in Emergency Rooms

Monitor environmental parameters - air quality, cigarette smoke, temperature, humidity - but at the same time report any attacks, calls for help, acts of vandalism. This is the goal of the system implemented by the Marche University Hospital Authority to protect the Emergency Room and other hospital environments. A technological package consisting of 30 devices to raise the alarm to the operations room by pressing a button, 3 latest-generation radio devices managed by the company's internal security system, 2 cameras and 7 sensors for reception in the emergency room. The system is based on artificial intelligence: the data collected is in fact conveyed to a centralized portal where it can be transformed into as many alarms based on the thresholds set by the administrators or self-generated by the algorithm.

Investing in safety

A technologically advanced system that has currently been implemented in the waiting rooms of the Emergency Departments of the two facilities of Torrette and Salesi, but which could soon be extended to other operating units. On the other hand, this initiative has few precedents, as Armando Marco Gozzini , General Director of AOUM, recalled, presenting the innovative equipment already available in the hospital facilities: "We have decided to invest in the safety of our employees and at the same time of the patients. A further step to guarantee the protection of everyone".

Useful for calling for help

The system therefore has a dual function. "The first application - added the technical details Andrea Badaloni , Director of the Company Information System - concerns sensors integrated with video surveillance/analysis systems through which it is possible to monitor the classic environmental parameters". In addition to this, however, the system also has the purpose of guaranteeing the safety of company operators exposed to the risks of aggression and the typical dangers of those who work alone. For this reason, the devices can also be used to call for help in person in the event of aggression to healthcare personnel, or to send an alert automatically in the event of illness or falls. The individual devices can be configured flexibly and all refer to a single management system that also allows the devices to be geolocated to intervene quickly and effectively.

Privacy is not at risk

Concerns about data management are under control. Privacy is fully safeguarded as no personal data is retained or shown by the system. “With these new cutting-edge devices we are doing our utmost to ensure the safety of healthcare workers, patients and all users who come to the emergency rooms,” recalled the Vice President of the Regional Council and Councilor of the Marche Region with responsibility for Health and Safety, Filippo Saltamartini . An absolute priority for everyone, because you come to the hospital to be treated and welcomed in the most appropriate manner.

Control of security guards

Security in the facilities of the Marche University Hospital, however, has been a long time coming and the devices presented represent a further step in growth. Aoum has long since strengthened the presence of private security guards. One is stationed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the Torrette emergency room, one with night-time control functions (10pm-6am) of access to the hospital facilities and with the same hours with concierge functions; from Monday to Friday a security guard is active at the road entrance barrier of the internal areas (helipad), while an unarmed security guard (steward) is present every day (except holidays) at the construction site area of ​​the administrative building where ambulances enter; a steward is present every day (except holidays) to control traffic in the Radiotherapy area and the Emergency Room parking lot while another is present 24 hours a day every day to control the access ramp to the Emergency Room. Finally, the fire guards will soon double: at the Salesi station they will go from 1 to 2 and at Torrette from 2 to 4.