Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare, offering innovative tools to tackle longstanding challenges in patient safety and facility security. Synectics, a leader in advanced surveillance systems, has developed the Synergy platform to deliver AI-based solutions for healthcare environments. With the introduction of Synergy Detect, healthcare organisations can now access an adaptable suite of tools designed to enhance operational efficiency, minimise risks and improve safety standards. These advancements are redefining how hospitals manage security, allowing for real-time responses and proactive threat mitigation.
Revolutionising Risk Detection with AI
Risk detection in healthcare environments demands precision and efficiency. Synergy Detect’s fall detection tool exemplifies this by addressing a common yet critical issue. Falls are among the most frequent incidents in hospitals, posing significant risks to patients and visitors alike. This AI tool is designed to detect slips, falls or instances of individuals lying on the ground, generating instant alerts to notify healthcare staff via mobile devices. This immediate communication ensures swift action, potentially reducing harm and improving patient outcomes.
The tool’s application extends beyond patient rooms to public and communal areas, including corridors, waiting areas and reception zones. By eliminating the need for continuous manual monitoring, surveillance teams are shown only the relevant video feed when a fall occurs. This optimised workflow ensures resources are allocated effectively while maintaining high safety standards.
In addition to fall detection, Synergy Detect includes intrusion and loitering detection features. These tools are crucial for monitoring restricted areas such as drug storage facilities, laboratories and staff-only zones. The system can identify unauthorised access and classify behaviour, flagging prolonged loitering in areas with frequent movement, such as ambulance bays or emergency department entrances. By proactively identifying potential security breaches or suspicious behaviour, these tools help healthcare organisations safeguard both their facilities and the people within them.
Streamlining Operations with AI-Driven Traffic Management
Healthcare facilities often face challenges in managing traffic flow, particularly in emergency situations where access must remain unimpeded. Synergy Detect introduces AI-driven tools that simplify the tracking and management of vehicle movements, ensuring operational efficiency and safety.
Multi-object detection and counting tools notify operators of vehicles parked in inappropriate locations, such as emergency access zones or ambulance bays. Additionally, stopped vehicle detection prevents unauthorised parking in areas critical for patient transport and emergency services. These real-time alerts empower hospital teams to address potential issues promptly, maintaining access for vital services.
The system also supports broader traffic management through tools that monitor incoming and outgoing vehicles in designated areas. This capability is particularly valuable for managing parking capacity. By providing real-time data on occupancy levels, hospitals can redirect vehicles to overflow parking when necessary and use the information to inform future planning and expansion efforts.
Furthermore, the ability to classify and track vehicle types enhances operational insights. For instance, distinguishing between staff vehicles, ambulances and delivery trucks ensures prioritised access for emergency and critical services. These features enable healthcare facilities to maintain seamless operations, reducing delays and ensuring that staff can focus on delivering care without logistical disruptions.
Simplifying Implementation and Adaptability
For AI tools to be effective in a healthcare setting, they must be both powerful and user-friendly. Synectics has prioritised ease of use in designing Synergy Detect, ensuring that hospitals can implement the system seamlessly. Once the hardware is installed, users can connect existing cameras, including fixed, PTZ and thermal models, to the platform. This compatibility eliminates the need for extensive upgrades, making the solution accessible and cost-effective.
The adaptability of Synergy Detect is another key advantage. Surveillance teams can tailor the system to their specific needs by adjusting settings such as zone size, motion sensitivity and alarm thresholds. These customisable options allow healthcare facilities to address evolving requirements without significant reconfiguration. As hospitals face changing demands, such as the expansion of services or the introduction of new security protocols, the system can be easily reconfigured to meet these challenges.
By simplifying activation and enabling flexibility, Synergy Detect empowers healthcare organisations to maximise the value of their investment. Surveillance teams can focus on responding to actionable alerts rather than managing complex systems, ensuring that the technology works for them, not the other way around.
AI-powered surveillance solutions like Synergy Detect are reshaping how healthcare facilities approach security and patient safety. By automating risk detection and delivering real-time insights, these tools enable hospitals to respond swiftly to incidents while optimising their operations. From fall detection and intrusion monitoring to traffic management and operational adaptability, the Synergy Detect suite addresses a wide range of challenges faced by modern healthcare organisations. In the future, solutions like these will become integral to creating safer, more secure and more efficient healthcare environments.
Source: Healthcare in Europe
Image Credit: iStock
