CVMC launches advanced tech in COVID-19 screening process

Hospital Entrants’ Body Temperatures Now Read by Thermal Camera to Enhance Patient Safety and Convenience

Vermont Business Magazine 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.

About Central Vermont Medical Center:
Central Vermont Medical Center is the primary health care provider for 66,000 people who live and work in the 26 communities of central Vermont. We provide 24-hour emergency care, with a full spectrum of inpatient (licensed for 122 beds) and outpatient services. Our professional staff includes over 200 physicians and 70 advanced practice providers representing 25 medical specialties.
Central Vermont Medical Center is a member of The University of Vermont Health Network, an integrated system established to deliver high quality academic medicine to every community we serve.

For more information visit www.UVMHealth.org/CVMC.

About Vermont Security:Vermont Security, LLC is a systems integrator with a focus on technology-forward solutions. They provide state-of-the-art interactive and scalable commercial security products, including thermal temperature screening and monitoring systems that are applicable to hospitals, college campuses, retail and hospitality sectors, as well as nursing homes, day care facilities and tourism venues. Vermont Security pairs their commitment to providing the highest level of technical support, customer service and professional installation with best-in-class manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech security solutions.

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Source: Berlin, Vt. – The Central Vermont Medical Center 6.26.2020