Only a few seconds – that‘s how long it would take for healthcare personnel using the Slim Sensor to remotely check on patient’s condition, hear a cry for help or notice an unauthorized attempt to leave the hospital, as it has been happening in Lithuania since the growing number of COVID-19 patients. The Lithuanian company developing such sensor is currently consulting with the Lithuanian Ministry of Health regarding its possible wider use in the country's hospitals, treatment centers, nursing homes or other institutions, where the need for such solution is rapidly increasing.
Providing Healthcare Professionals the Possibility to Keep their Distance
According to the Business Development Manager of Altas IT Kristina Geciene, in battling the issue of medical staff becoming infected with the COVID-19 and having to abandon their job of treating other patients, Slim Sensor would provide the medical personnel the possibility to remotely monitor the infected patients while maintaining their own safety and health.
"Medical staff receives notifications on their mobile devices or computer screens if the patient is in the need of assistance and can directly communicate with them. The sensor also sends out an alert if the patient has fallen out of bed, does not return from the bathroom for a long period of time, spends more time in bed than usual or just leaves the ward. ” - says K. Geciene about the solution, which has attracted a lot of interest in recent days.
When such system is installed in the ward, virtual lines are drawn and the sensor responds when they are crossed. The state of those virtual lines or doors is analyzed by infrared light, so the sensor is able to send various alarms to healthcare staff around the clock, regardless of lighting conditions.
It is important to note that the sensor does not violate the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), since patient data is neither collected nor recorded.
Efforts are currently being made to further improve the sensor and allow healthcare staff not only to remotely obtain patient information, but also to remotely measure the patient's vital parameters - temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen.
"Such solution will save many lives since it will provide the possibility to react immediately. Also, since the automation of hospitals, nursing homes, health and rehabilitation centers is considered to be the future of healthcare, it’s worth investing in it as soon as possible” says K. Geciene.
Awaiting Decision by the Ministry
Altas IT has provided information on the possibilities of applying Slim Sensor in Lithuania to the Ministry of Health. K. Gecienė states that the proposal to use the sensor in Lithuania is still being considered. Meanwhile, the Ministry suggested that Altas IT may be included in the list of companies creating solutions for battling COVID-19.
"We have also submitted a proposal to the Ministry to create trial wards so that doctors could test the sensor themselves and evaluate its benefits in their daily tasks. After presenting the information on our solution in Lithuania, we have already received inquiries from potential customers, so we feel that there is definitely a need for such product”- says K. Geciene.
In Lithuania, the need to create conditions for remote care was the first to be reported by institutions caring for the elderly and people with disabilities.
EU Investments
Aurimas Pautienius-Zelvys, the head of the Lithuanian Business Support Agency, notes that the company Altas IT is actively using European Union investments for its activities. In the past, the company received an investment through “Intelligence. Joint Science-Business Projects”. Currently, the company is implementing the measures “New Opportunities LT” and “Expo Certificate LT”, which partially finance the participation of companies in international exhibitions and product certification.
“By contributing to the technological industry revolution on a daily basis, such companies can offer the solutions needed for the public good in events of crisis. It is extremely important for us to see that many of the clients with whom the Lithuanian Business Support Agency (lt. Lietuvos verslo paramos agentūra) team works are successful and can make strong contributions to the fight against COVID-19. Altas IT is one of those examples,” - says A. Pautienius-Zelvys.
Increasing Demand in Foreign Markets
The Lithuanian company was first made aware of the need to create such a product from its partners a few years ago, while participating in an international exhibition. Until now, 95 percent of the company’s products are exported to the foreign market. The sensor is widely used in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway - countries where there are many care homes for the elderly. As a result of worldwide pandemic, the demand for such product has increased even further. This week alone, 300 Lithuanian-made Slim Sensors are being exported abroad.