One of the challenges highlighted by the team at Ipswich was the unnecessary amount of time spent by their nursing staff on manual refrigeration temperature checks. It was felt that this time could be better spent on patient care. There was also the risk of human error when conducting manual checks, figures can be misinterpreted, noted wrongly, or log sheets can be misplaced.

Another challenge highlighted by the team were reports of uncomfortable room temperatures from both staff and patients. This issue is exacerbated by the outer building structure comprising mostly of glass.

There were three aims in total. The first of these aims was to automate certain processes that the nursing staff previously were responsible for, the second was to introduce a digital method of recording and storing reports. the third centered on setting the stage for the future by monitoring critical asset performance.

Cloud installed its Mindsett platform’s medical cold-chain monitors in 12 refrigeration units throughout the maternity block along with environmental sensors in 96 rooms. These sensors fed data to the team at ESNEFT via a mobile-based application.

The cold chain monitoring enabled staff in the maternity to set their desired temperature ranges for the medical fridges to ensure stock was stored correctly. The app provided clear visualisation using graphs to indicate temperature changes over a set time-period. Users received alerts via the app when a fridge’s temperature moved outside the set range. On checking the unit for faults, human or technical, the user can ‘acknowledge’ the alert and leave an explanatory note on the app. This information is stored and available to download in the form of a monthly report.

The environmental sensors were installed with the aim of improving conditions for both staff and patients. Data from the sensors was also fed through to staff via the app and they received real-time snapshots of room temperature, humidity, and air quality. Similar to the cold-chain monitoring this information was presented to the user in the form of graphs and was stored as easily downloadable monthly reports. The graphical representation has enabled staff at the hospital to clearly identify trends in temperature fluctuations and adjust environments where possible. An added-value benefit of the monthly reporting was that it aided with the hospital’s CQC compliance obligations.

Cloud was able to demonstrate that its remote monitoring solution is suitable in a medical environment, particularly that it can save money and staff time. When looking at the KPIs set out by ESNEFT, Mindsett has:

1.Automated cold-chain reporting and released staff time to care by removing the need for three manual checks a day for all refrigeration units. Instead ESNEFT now get automated reporting at 5-minute intervals.

2.Highlighted unsatisfactory room temperatures and provided room environment data at 5-minute intervals where there was previously no consistent reporting in place.

3.Released clinical time to care by automating reporting and checks. Staff at the maternity block had been spending an estimated 684 hours annually on manual checks, Mindsett’s installations have removed the need for this.

4.Based on estimates, Mindsett technology has saved ESNEFT up to £6,380.20 per annum. This is a financial representation based on time saved through removing manual checks