Thermal imaging automatically verifies that patient, visitor, and staff temperatures are in normal range.
Berlin, Vt. – The Central Vermont Medical Center announced today that patients, visitors, and staff entering its main hospital will now have their body temperature read by a thermal imaging camera.
Since March 21, anybody entering a CVMC facility is required to pass a temperature screening due to COVID-19 concerns, but most methods of taking temperatures are time consuming, uncomfortable or invasive – creating lines as the hospital has returned to normal patient volumes.
“This technology greatly improves the experience and increases the speed and safety of the screening process,” said CVMC Vice President of Human Resources and Clinical Operations Robert Patterson. “Once people answer a few questions about their health, they simply walk into the facility and their temperature is automatically taken. It greatly decreases the time it takes for them to enter, eliminates the need to remove their masks, and decreases the time they spend in close proximity to our staff, which keeps everyone safer.”
The new technology also significantly reduces the number of CVMC staff who need to be involved in the screening process – allowing them to attend to patient care.
“We redeployed CVMC staff to work as COVID-19 screeners while patient volumes were low,” said Patterson. “As things have picked up, a lot of folks need to return to their clinical roles to take care of our patients.”
CVMC’s Montpelier-based security system vendor Vermont Security, LLC recommended the system after learning about growing lines and other issues created by the screening process.
"We take our time to really understand the problems our clients are wrestling with. Then we build a customized solution to improve their operations,” said Jesse Harper, President and Founder of Vermont Security.
“With our non-contact thermal temperature solution our clients automate the temperature screening process. This minimizes the number of secondary checks, significantly reducing human resource cost, improving safety, and enhancing the employee and patient experience when entering the building ” further explained Harper.
Media availability:
View the new technology in action.
CVMC and Vermont Security representatives will be available to demonstrate the technology on Tuesday June 30th.