vytalsign

Overview of the Protectal-vytalsign sensor

The Protectal-vytalsign, is a non-invasive breathing and movement monitor that has been developed to help ensure the dignity and protection of people experiencing a chaotic lifestyle and using entrenched homelessness facilities.

It is intended to provide an early warning of cessation of breathing, so first aid can be administered within seconds rather than risking the time delay between prescribed visits. The system proves without doubt proper Duty of Care.

The purpose of vytalsign is the detection of all MOVEMENT including BREATHING in order to raise an alarm when there is no movement, it offers:

This will help to:

To SAVE LIVES through the protection and welfare of all SERVICE-USERS in bedrooms.
Provide protection and welfare of STAFF managing service-users.
Protect organisation REPUTATION.
Mitigate the emotional, legal and financial COST associated with loss-of life for organisation, staff, relatives and other-service users.

vytalsign is completely automatic requiring no set-up or maintenance by staff. Up to 32 rooms can be monitored simultaneously on a single controller PC. The system operates seamlessly 24/7 and logs every room event, thus providing full accountability to all those involved in monitoring the facility.

The equipment and software are continually being developed and upgrades will be implemented as part of the maintenance once thoroughly tested and in agreement with the customer.
In simple terms the sensors monitor the bed or the room it is situated in, the difference is relevant to the facility and how the service providers wish to use the system. Monitoring the system is an easy to understand Red, Amber Green, (RAG), status tracking and with alerts that can also be shared on other devices, (example mobile phones). This allows staff to focus on other tasks whilst allowing service users dignity and privacy.

Key Points & Benefits

The vytalsign monitoring system will:

Monitor and record room activities;
Provide an Audit Trail of all events;
Provide a Visual and Audible warning of alerts, (including alerts on other devices);
require a limited User input;
Require Minimal Maintenance (remote)
Integrate with CCTV; Security Management Systems and a ‘fall’ monitoring service
Operates in darkness;
No batteries, mains powered, automatically re-initialises in the event of a power failure

The vytalsign monitoring capabilities of the system warn operating staff of the service-users’ potential problems, thus:

Providing an increased awareness and more time for preventative measures to be taken, thereby possibly saving lives.
Provides EARLY warning of possible medical issues
Provides PEACE of MIND to staff and loved ones
REDUCES additional stress on staff
Is NOT affected by emotional decisions
Provides assurances that CCTV, Risk Assessments or the naked eye cannot identify.
Can log every event; providing full accountability for all those involved and offers an audit trail to demonstrate that all obligations, and more, were adhered to.

The sensors are based upon a multi-layered software-hardware platform with Radar-on-Chip (RoC), with all digital and analogue RF components on board, including an integrated Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and an MCU for complex signal processing. This is combined with an embedded software-on-chip, enabling outputs across multiple layers, ranging from raw data to tailored applications.

Developed to include PC based control software to enhance the capability to monitor both the NAPpad/room occupant AND occupancy to ensure a complete Audit Trail.

The System uses sensors to send out signals that scan the environment using harmless radio waves a thousand times weaker than a mobile phone to identify movement, without the use of cameras, to maintain privacy and allowing for an undisturbed sleep.

‘Movement’ constitutes any level, down to chest movement caused by breathing, even in deep sleep and under bedding.
The monitoring capabilities of the system warn operating staff of the service-users’ potential problems, thus providing an increased awareness and more time for preventative measures to be taken – thereby possibly saving lives.
The system is designed to provide an early warning for operating staff with maximum ease of use and minimal maintenance.
Completely automatic, working 365 days a year and can log every event; providing full accountability for all those involved. It offers an audit trail to demonstrate that all obligations, and more, were adhered to.
Arrangements for monitoring the system will be undertaken by a local Telecare provider service, who will instigate emergency response as system raises the alert.
The system can also prompt an alert to operating staff in the area, for awareness only.

Quotations to underline the need for rapid and correct reaction (‘Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) & Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC)’)

“The speed with which defibrillation is performed is the major determinant of the success of resuscitative attempts… Survival rates … decrease approximately 7-10% with every minute that defibrillation is delayed. A survival rate as high as 90% has been reported when defibrillation is achieved within the first minute of collapse.”

“In sudden cardiac arrest the heart goes from normal heartbeat to a quivering rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF)… VF is fatal unless… defibrillation can be given. CPR does not stop VF, but CPR extends the window of time in which defibrillation can be effective. If CPR is started within 4 minutes of collapse and defibrillation within 10 minutes a person has a 40% chance of survival”