dementia monitoring system design

Dementia Monitoring System

Design & Selection Guide© Copyright QBsoft SolutionsJune 2011

Why Dementia Monitoring?

Elderly with Dementia are often incapable of knowing when they need to activate a manual call deviceMany Elderly people use traditional call devices simply for companionship, causing staff to ignore constant alerts from several people, thus potentially ignoring real alarms when they occur.

What is a Dementia Monitoring System?

A Dementia Monitoring System (also know as “smart rooms”) uses passive devices/sensors to monitor patient behaviours and create alerts to staff whenever abnormal occurrences are monitored.The critical component of any DMS is it’s ability to have custom profiles for every different resident or patient.

What is a Dementia Monitoring System? continued…

A typical Dementia Monitoring System usually consists of a:

bed occupancy sensor (not simply an exit sensor)in-suite motion sensorsuite entry/exit sensorwashroom entry/exit sensorstaff presence or alarm cancel switchsensor gathering panel/deviceprofile timer/processor

Many DMS systems also include wireless staff duress, dome lights & incontinence sensors

A Typical Dementia Monitoring System Room Layout

Three Different Types of Dementia Monitoring Systems

1) Stand-alone control units that only offer a few pre-defined profiles to chose from

2) Stand-alone control units that require that a laptop be brought from room to room to modify profile timers & settings, as well as gather history information

3) Networked systems that allow all timers and profile settings to be changed from a central or networked control location

Critical Components to Consider

Ensure that the bed occupancy sensor used is very reliable and durable. Many sensor types require bed sensor pad replacement very often or do not provide accurate detection.Consider using LED and dome light indicators as visual indicators that sensors are operating correctly.Ensure that equipment is meant for its purpose as many custom devices have been used that are not meant to be part of a monitoring system

Critical Components to Consider continued..

Silent systems assist in easing tension to people with Dementia. This helps by lowering stress and aids in reducing the number of agitated residents.Proper staff training and ongoing education is critical. A DMS system is completely useless if it is not incorporated in care plans or staff do not use it. Some but not all DMS systems include care planning.

Critical Components to Consider continued..

A good DMS system should log & provide history reports of all patient activity, otherwise there is no way of properly determining individual profiles & care plans.Be sure that the system provides a method of properly testing and calibrating all sensors & components to each individual person.It is good practice to have a system that can alert staff on wireless devices to maximize staff-to-patient interaction.

Critical Components to Consider continued..

Consider the ongoing maintenance costs; as many sensors require constant replacement of the sensing devices for proper operation.Ensure that the system is extremely user friendly. Complex systems have historically been found to be left unused after the initial installation in many cases.“If it’s not easy, it won’t get used.

If it doesn’t get used, where’s the value?”

DCS Dementia Control System

A network-based, full profile control Dementia Monitoring System, using any nurse call hardware

DCS Installation Layout

Addressable I/O boards help reduce cabling and installation/maintenance requirements.

DCS Easy Sensor Setup/Testing

User-friendly GUI interface provides simplified installation & maintenance.

DCS Simple Operator Interface

Simple Graphical Display reduces staff training time and operator stress.

DCS Powerful yet Simple

Easy-to-follow & change individual resident profiles make profile changing and care planning easy.

DCS Dementia Alerts

Generate bed exit alarms only if a resident leaves the bed and no other in-room sensor is triggered

Generate inactivity alerts if in-room motion is active but stops and no other in-room sensor is active

DCS Dementia Alerts

Alert staff when a resident is in their washroom for a time that is much longer than their normal behavior

Alert care staff as soon as a dementia patient leaves his or her room during evenings, to prevent wandering

DCS Dementia Alerts

Keep dementia patients healthy by alerting staff to clean bed linens as soon as a bed wet signal is active

Patients with dementia may become violent if they become agitated. Agitation alerts notify staff when a patient begins to pace of move continuously.

DCS Powerful yet Simple

Integrated maintenance tools:

DCS Integration

TCP/IP based network software allows for facility-wide control and interfacing to multiple devices/systems.

DCS System Highlights• Non-proprietary sensors and devices are used to

reduce initial & ongoing maintenance costs

• Simple to use graphical interfaces & reporting

• User-selectable individual resident profiles

• Nurse call, pocket page/wireless phone interfaces

• Very easy to calibrate, test, troubleshoot, & maintain

• Passive resident monitoring helps maintain resident dignity & helps provide a “home-like” atmosphere

• Many add-on options including; dome lights, audio, staff duress, housekeeping signaling, etc..

• Expandable & cost effective, can be easily networked or remain small

THANK YOU!Discussion, Question & Answer Time.

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