Evaluation of patient safety technology in mental health wards
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A multi-site evaluation of technology in mental health inpatient wards, specifically the use of Vision Based Patient Monitoring Systems (VBPMS) and Body Worn Cameras (BWC).
IRAS ID
321685
Contact name
Fiona Nolan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), R&D Department
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
Mental health services have introduced non-contact vision based digital technologies including primarily vision based patient monitoring systems (VBPMS) and cameras worn by staff, known as body worn cameras (BWC) with the aim of reducing risks to patients and staff in inpatient services.
VBPMS is a technology which monitors movement, gives location-based alerts and can measure pulse and breathing rate through cameras. These are used in patient bedrooms. Body worn cameras are small transportable cameras that attach to clothing to produce video and audio recordings. Around half of all mental health trusts in England have introduced VBPMS and BWCs. The evidence to support effectiveness of the technology is limited single site studies with small sample sizes (approx. 6 published studies for VBPMS, which have been mostly funded by the company providing the technology) and 2 studies for BWCs.
We are proposing a multi-site study to explore:
a) Which mental health trusts in England are using one or both technologies and dates when they were introduced?
b) Guidance and policies around use of the technology?
c) Whether use of VPBMS and/or BWCs has made a difference to safety in wards by looking at numbers and severity of incidents before and after they are introduced?
d) In sites where they are used, the views of patients, carers, ward staff and senior staff around their experience of VBPMS and/or BWCs. We will also compare staff and patient satisfaction, perceptions of ward environment and therapeutic relationships.
e) In sites where they are not used, the views of patients, carers, ward staff and senior staff around how VBPMS and BWCs generally, and the potential difference the technology might have on satisfaction, safety and therapeutic relationships in wards.
We hope to include 10 trusts with, and 10 without the technology, and around 540 patients, 1382 staff, 300 senior staff and 72 carers.REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EM/0113
Date of REC Opinion
2 Aug 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion