As local communities implement reopening protocols as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, emphasis is being placed on rapid triage for potential COVID-19 patients at healthcare facilities.
Proper identification and treatment of individuals who have elevated temperatures is not only a critical tactic to help patients get treatment faster, it also helps preserve the safety of staff and other visitors.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established guidelines to help healthcare facilities limit the spread of the virus by using strategic protocols. They urge healthcare facilities to limit and monitor entry points, establish screening stations outside facilities, and screen everyone entering the facility for elevated temperatures.
Of course, standard temperature measurement devices often require a staff member to be in close proximity with a potentially infected visitor — and such devices must be sanitized in between uses, leading to possible cross-contamination.
Additionally, standard thermometers take time (sometimes up to 40 seconds or longer) to detect the correct temperature, which can lead to slowdowns in processing and expose others who are waiting to be screened to potential harm.
The safest and most efficient way to ascertain patient temperature is from a safe distance by using a non-contact temperature assessment device.
Benefits of an Infrared Temperature Camera
In COVID-heavy areas, it’s crucial to properly triage potentially infected patients as quickly as possible and ensure that staff reporting for work are healthy. By using a non-contact temperature device such as an infrared temperature camera, healthcare facilities can efficiently evaluate individuals for proper treatment.
Infrared temperature cameras are designed to measure and display a temperature reading that allows staff to quickly process large numbers of people at their point of entry.
Because the cameras use thermal imaging to provide temperature measurements, they are hands-free and do not contribute to the spread of the virus via surficial contamination.
Using a GoSafe Camera for Increased Security and Better Screening
Some infrared temperature cameras, such as OneScreen’s GoSafe, are combined with other security solutions to further protect staff, identify patients with elevated temperatures, and restrict access to only persons who are compliant with face mask protocols.
The GoSafe can detect temperatures from between 3.2 and 1.6 feet away in just 0.3 and 1 second with +/- 0.9 F accuracy, even when a patient is wearing a mask. An alarm and blinking red lights indicate an elevated temperature.
If the access control feature is being used, doors and gates can be opened and closed remotely, removing the need for staff to be physically close to the screening point to minimize potential contact.
GoSafe uses AI-powered facial recognition that works even with protective masks and can be integrated with ID cards and fingerprint scanners to keep track of staff temperature statuses. It offers live video assistance for real-time entry assistance along with unlimited training and troubleshooting.
With options for table or wall mounting or a slim floor stand in two heights, this security camera/temperature measurement device can fit easily into even the smallest lobbies or entryways. It can operate as a stand-alone offline device, or through your LAN or cloud.
Let DSI Help You Protect Staff and Patients with GoSafe
At DSI, we pride ourselves on being on the cutting edge of technology — even when it comes to emerging threats, such as COVID-19. We’ve got an excellent track record of helping clients leverage the considerable power of OneScreen’s GoSafe to protect their businesses.
Over the past few months, we’ve helped a number of businesses protect their staff and visitors using GoSafe’s revolutionary non-contact thermal screening. Not only is the innovative OneScreen system highly accurate, but it also allows healthcare providers to minimize staff and visitor contact with potentially infected patients.
With its intuitive interface, quick installation, and ease of use, the GoSafe is the safest, simplest way to identify persons with elevated temperatures or persons who are not wearing required Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) or face coverings that might impact the safety of others.
The camera is operational in both day and night-time lighting and comes with several handy options such as barcode readers, access control devices, and remote management features.
Our DSI GoSafe experts can help you assess your needs and custom craft a GoSafe system that will meet your goals while staying within budget.
Contact a DSI consultant today and learn more about how GoSafe can help you keep your healthcare environment safer and more efficient for your staff and patients.