Tunstall releases tracking app for mobile nurse safety
Written by Kate McDonald on 14 October 2015 .
Tunstall Healthcare has developed a new smartphone app linked to a 24-hour monitoring system that is designed to provide security to lone workers such as community nurses.
Tunstall CIO Geoff Feakes said the myCareTrack app is a mobile safety solution tailored for people who work alone or in potentially hazardous environments.
"Some roles – such as community nursing – require a person to travel and work in isolation on a regular basis, which can pose a safety risk to them and extra worry for their employers," Mr Feakes said.
"We designed the myCareTrack app specifically for these isolated workers and developed a concept that would improve staff safety, with processes that have minimal impact on their work day."
The myCareTrack app has check-in, check-out capability, activity reporting, and SOS and GPS functionality monitored by Tunstall's 24-hour response centre, which will allow workers to notify Tunstall of their movements and distress situations.
"The app utilises individual lone worker ID access, so users can check in and inform us of their intended schedule for the day," Mr Feakes said.
"Once checked in, our PNC call management platform makes automatic check-up calls, which aim to identify any remote worker who may be in need of assistance.
"If the check-up calls go unanswered, an emergency call will be automatically escalated to a Tunstall care consultant, who will commence the worker's individual alarm response procedure."
He said that in the event of an emergency, myCareTrack also has a built-in SOS button that can be activated by the worker, sending an alert and GPS location to the Tunstall monitoring centre.
"We already have the infrastructure to support this type of service," he said. "Our monitoring centres operate 24 hours, seven days a week and our staff are experienced in managing emergency calls and locating clients through GPS mapping.
"Those working in isolation can feel reassured that, should an accident or emergency arise, an alarm will be raised and help will be alerted."
The app is currently only available for Android devices, but a Tunstall spokesperson said the company was working towards completing an iOS version of the app for Apple devices, which will be available before the end of the year.