JAOtech added a 18.5” widescreen version to its range of purpose-built patient bedside terminals, enhancing their ability to display X-rays and other medical images, as well as giving better reproduction of movies and other entertainment formats. JAOtech terminals are specifically designed to UL60601 standards for the hospital environment, featuring sealed construction suitable for deep cleaning as well as anti-bacterial plastics.

 

According to JAOtech Director, Philip Corri, “JAOtech terminals are an immensely valuable tool for giving clinical staff access to medical records at the bedside – and the larger screen format will significantly enhance this capability. At the same time our new Arie large widescreen terminal gives patients the best presentation yet of films and the latest games, matching the standard of the screens that they will increasingly have at home.”

 

Like existing JAOtech terminals, the new 18.5” widescreen Arie version can run Linux and Windows and is compatible with all major PC applications. In addition to meeting the requirements of UL60601 in full, all the terminals include a host of design features that suit them to the demanding, clean environment of a hospital ward, including open plan areas. All terminals can be readily deep cleaned using popular cleaning and sterilisation agents, offering a wipe down design, and sealed front and rear faces to IP65 and IP64 respectively as well as the benefit of anti-bacterial plastics based on Novaron®.

 

JAOtech has used innovative electronic design to minimise heat creation within the unit – a challenge for a compact, slim terminal. Using state-of-the-art processors, and creative heat dissipation including the use of the support arm, means that none of the terminals require a fan for cooling. Features such as call alerts are implemented using LEDs – the only sound output from the terminal is via the attached headphones, optional telephone or mini loudspeakers.

 

A key design feature is the support arm. In response to customer feedback, it incorporates a patented clutch that gives way under load in a controlled manner. This safely discourages use of the terminal as a lifting aid or patient support with risk of damage to the wall, the terminal or injury to the patient or ward staff. All terminals are offered with a full package of peripherals supporting all popular Patient Entertainment Terminal applications. These include a VoIP phone, magstripe / smart card readers, high resolution camera for patient monitoring, biometrics, barcode scanner and a wireless keyboard.

 

The new Arie terminal complements the existing 15” Zivo®, the 15” widescreen Jima® and the Obie® 17” Smart Terminal. All four are offered in a wide range of colours and plastics, and can be customised to meet the needs of each hospital installation.

JAOtech multimedia terminals can form the nodes of hospital Indoor Positioning Systems (IPS) with room level or even sub-room level discrimination, following the signing of a partnership with Sonitor Technologies. Terminals equipped with Sonitor ultrasound receivers can be used to help locate patients, staff and equipment, contributing to hospital efficiency and safety. 

 

Ragnar Bo, CEO of Sonitor Technologies global operations, said, “IPS is a growing priority for hospitals. Integrating Sonitor receiver microphones into JAOtech terminals connected to the hospital network has a very significant impact on installation cost. The integration also opens the potential for additional functions, such as automated log on and log off (ALOLO), a great convenience for busy doctors on their daily ward round.” He added, “Ultrasound signals transmitted by the tags do not penetrate walls and ceilings – allowing Sonitor’s patented technology to provide true, reliable room-level location. This can potentially be extended to sub-room level accuracy by using multiple microphones.” IPS is also known as Real Time Location Solutions (RTLS).

 

According to Philip Corri, Director of JAOtech, “Our partnership with Sonitor provides a further example of how bedside terminals can become the front end of an integrated IT solution that greatly improves the efficiency of hospital operations. IPS has an excellent RoI by reducing the amount of staff time spent locating equipment. Monitoring patient location and staff location brings further benefits, contributing to the safety of both.”

 

The new integrated Sonitor receivers complement the Smart Card, RFID and bar-code technology available on JAOtech terminals, providing a truly comprehensive array of location, identification and access control options. Smart card readers are currently the preferred approach for managing pre-payment for services. The addition of an RFID scanner or Sonitor receiver provides medical staff with a separate and secure location and identification process which does not require the patient to remove their card from the reader. Bar-codes are commonly used for confirming patient identity during records access, confirming the administration of the correct medication and other purposes.

 

Sonitor Technologies, recently named North American RTLS Emerging Company of the Year by Frost & Sullivan, offers a unique ultrasound IPS (Indoor Positioning System) that automatically tracks the real-time location of moveable equipment and/or people in complex environments with 100% room-level, or sub room-level (such as bed-level) accuracy.

 

Due to the unique attributes of ultrasound there is no risk of electromagnetic interference with other equipment. The low quantity of data transmitted from the Tags requires minimal LAN bandwidth so existing wired or wireless LAN can easily be leveraged. The Sonitor^® IPS, now chosen by more than 30 hospitals, is fully, easily and quickly scalable. Sonitor’ IPS technology is designed to be an integral part of value added and integrator reseller end-customer solutions.

 

Specifically designed to UL60601 standards, JAOtech Smart Terminals are ideal for hygienic hospital ward environments, and feature a sealed construction which is suitable for deep cleaning with standard hospital detergents. JAOtech has a flexible design approach and the terminals are built to specification and can be customised to suit individual requirements, including colour. Various mounting options are also available to allow flexible installation in any environment.