Artificial Intelligence (AI) is swiftly becoming a transformative force across various sectors, particularly in healthcare.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is swiftly becoming a transformative force across various sectors, particularly in healthcare. Matthew Kjin, a Security and Healthcare Technologist at Axis Communications, underscores the transformative capabilities of AI in a
recent blog.
He notes that AI enhances both patient care and operational efficiencies while also significantly increasing productivity in healthcare settings. This detailed exploration considers how AI fosters support for healthcare professionals, enabling them to focus on critical care aspects rather than routine tasks.
By integrating AI, healthcare facilities can optimize care delivery and streamline administrative operations, thereby reinforcing the role of human expertise without replacing it.
Patient and equipment tracking
Advanced AI systems in healthcare are capable of tracking the movement of patients and equipment within facilities. This capability is crucial for monitoring at-risk patients and ensuring that medical equipment is used efficiently. AI systems can also alert staff to critical situations in real time, allowing for immediate response.
“For instance, advancements in scene intelligence allows for very precise object tracking which is incredibly useful for a variety of healthcare scenarios,” said Kjin. “Real-time object location tracking can track people and equipment throughout the property. This allows you to track patients who are at risk of wandering, including behavioral health patients who may pose a risk of violence or mental health patients who may become lost.”
If a patient is on the ground or unmoving for a certain period of time, a caregiver can be alerted immediately, ensuring optimal response time. Object location tracking can also be applied to loiterers and ultimately preventing criminal activity from taking place such as infant abduction.
Enhancing workflow automation
AI assists in automating workflows, significantly reducing the workload on healthcare staff. For example, AI can monitor room capacity, track inventory levels, and manage visitor flow without constant human oversight. This automation supports healthcare professionals by allowing them to focus more on patient care rather than routine tasks.
Maintaining high standards of safety
AI applications play a vital role in maintaining safety within healthcare facilities. By utilizing AI-powered surveillance and real-time data analysis, healthcare providers can preemptively address potential safety issues before they escalate.
“For example, object location functions such as fall detection and “out of bed” detection can be used to alert when a patient is deemed at risk of fall,” said Kjin. “The technology constructs a skeletal frame of the patient, ensuring that it can identify when a patient has fallen without the need to collect any personally identifiable information (PII).”
The same technology helps monitor patients by detecting if they have left their bed, the duration they are out, and whether they have experienced a fall. This functionality is critical for promptly addressing situations where patients at risk of falling engage in potentially dangerous activities. It enables healthcare workers to intervene swiftly to prevent falls or to react immediately if an injury occurs.
Real-time monitoring and alerts
AI-enhanced systems can detect unusual or concerning behaviors through real-time monitoring. For instance, detecting aggressive behavior or unauthorized access can help prevent potential security issues. The system can also be used to monitor vehicles entry and exit.
“Identifying a vehicle is as important as the ability to identify a person. License plate recognition can provide useful data on vehicles frequently lingering in sensitive areas,” Kjin said. “It can also help identify a vehicle involved in a crime, such as vandalism on hospital property, an assault or attempted assault on patients or staff, trespassing after hours, or drive-by crimes (such as picking up a patient against their will). This is all valuable evidence for both hospital security and law enforcement.”
Another useful function is wrong-way detection, which utilizes object location technology to enhance security. This feature does more than identify vehicles; it detects when vehicles enter a property through unconventional routes, often a sign of theft. Additionally, this capability assists healthcare staff in recognizing potential medical emergencies by observing unusual or erratic driving behaviors.
“Weapon detection intelligence is also enabled through object location and can help with automatically identifying when a weapon may be present,” said Kjin. “In a worst-case scenario in a healthcare facility, a weapon – such as firearms – can be on the grounds. If an AI model outside the building entrance identifies a possible weapon, it can alert security before the individual even enters the building. With proper procedures in place, the security team may be able to lock down the building and alert law enforcement in real-time.
Privacy and data protection
While AI significantly improves surveillance capabilities, it also respects privacy concerns. Technologies like dynamic masking are employed to obscure individual identities in sensitive areas without compromising the ability to monitor the environment effectively.
AI's role in proactive security measures
Beyond monitoring, AI helps in proactive security management. Technologies such as license plate recognition and wrong-way detection contribute to preventing unauthorized access and ensuring that vehicles on hospital grounds are monitored for safety compliance.
Preventative security actions
AI can also detect the presence of potentially harmful objects, such as weapons before they pose a real threat. This capability allows security personnel to intervene promptly, maintaining a safe environment for patients and staff.
Conclusion
The integration of AI in healthcare is not just about technological advancement but also about creating safer, more efficient environments that enhance the quality of patient care. As these technologies continue to evolve, their potential to support healthcare professionals and protect patients will undoubtedly expand, marking a significant step forward in the digital transformation of healthcare.