Page 56 - Security Today, May/June 2023

Hospital Security Bringing it All Together An open platform data-driven VMS can seamlessly integrate with air quality sensors by leveraging its ability to ingest, store and process large amounts of data in real time. The platform can receive sensor data from various sources, such as IoT devices or APIs, and store it in a central repository where it can be easily accessed and analyzed. The VMS can even provide visual verification of alarm events, such as looking to see if people are in an area where an air quality issue has been flagged. The platform can also apply machine learning algorithms to identify patterns and anomalies in the data, providing insights into air quality trends and potential sources of pollution. The information can be presented to users through visualizations within the VMS as dashboards, maps, or charts, providing a clear and intuitive way to understand the data. Additionally, the platform can enable users to set alerts and notifications based on specific thresholds or events, ensuring that stakeholders are promptly informed about any changes in air quality conditions. Overall, integrating air quality sensors with a data-driven video management platform can help organizations make informed decisions and take proactive measures to improve air quality and promote public health. For example, suppose a hospital has a construction project underway. In that case, air quality sensors can detect an increase in particulate matter and trigger an alert to notify staff to take appropriate action, such as closing off the area or increasing ventilation to prevent patients and staff from inhaling harmful particles. Best of all, many of these sensors can also be simultaneously tied directly to a hospital’s Building Management System through BACnet protocols. This level of integration provides reporting to hospital staff as well as facility engineers using the same devices and ultimately providing optimum patient, staff, and visitor care. Video monitoring has been crucial in safeguarding patients, staff, facilities, and medical equipment for many years. But recent advances in open platform VMS technology, smart video/audio analytics, and edge devices can act as force multipliers within hospital and healthcare facilities. Data-driven video management systems have emerged as a viable solution for providing a range of patient-centric operational procedures, which can directly help hospitals meet standards, deliver better care, and improve their patient satisfaction ratings — which all lead to a better bottom line. Mark Johnson is the National Business Development Manager, Healthcare, at Milestone Systems. 12 campuslifesecurity.com | MAY/JUNE 2023 Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com