15 October 2009
HMYOI Hindley Installs VitalLink3 from TeleMedic Systems
The success of SystmOne Prison has opened up the possibility of making use of integrated state-of-the-art vital signs monitoring equipment. TeleMedic Systems, featured in TPP Times 36, has now installed its first VitalLink3 vital signs monitoring system in a prison, HMYOI Hindley.
VitalLink3 collates the measurements from a number of peripherals including ECG, SpO2, BP, temperature, glucometry, spirometry and weight and then automatically uploads the measurements into the SystmOne record. The VitalLink3 solution also supports ECGs and other vital signs being viewed by specialists in supporting hospitals.
As well as reducing typographical errors, the system is expected to make the collection of measurements quicker and easier, leaving more time for face-to-face medical history taking. It will be used in the medical centre in the mornings and then in the busy reception area from 3pm to 5pm each day.
By making it easy to collect a standard set of measurements on admittance, any immediate risks, or future changes to the young person’s medical condition, can be picked up straight away.
HMYOI Hindley is currently building additional capacity and will shortly become the largest establishment of its type in Europe. Karen Morley, Head of Healthcare, says, "This kind of technology will help us to ensure the medical procedures accompanying every young person's admittance are carried out to an even higher and more consistent standard; while in an emergency we can get help and advice from hospital consultants based on their analysis of the vital signs in real-time."
George Dodds, Operational Manager, says, "HMYOI Hindley has pioneered several new technologies to improve efficiency and governance in the medical care of youth offenders. This new solution will allow us to explore new ways of providing even better care to the young people in our charge. As we grow over the next twelve months, this integrated telemedicine solution will help ensure we continue to meet our governance responsibilities."
Glen Berry, Commissioner for Prisons, concludes, "This is just the sort of initiative that was envisaged when the Innovation Fund was set up. This relatively small investment will allow us to explore clinical telemedicine in action and the integration with SystmOne Prison means the solution supports the national move to a standardised electronic record."
