It was over a century ago that Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) was founded as a gift by industrialist Uri T. Hungerford. The vision was to create a community hospital that would serve as a beacon of hope and a place of comfort for the ill and injured.
One hundred years later, that same community spirit has helped CHH evolve into a vibrant, independent, affordable healthcare network that delivers a comprehensive range of healthcare programmes and services for over 100 000 lives in Northwestern Connecticut, in the USA.
A challenging safety diagnosis
Charlotte Hungerford Hospital prides itself on supporting patient and staff safety in all hospital areas and locations. Several years ago, it found itself with an outdated security system that lacked quality video coverage and recording capabilities. CHH struggled with reliable video playback and faced frequent system crashes. As a result, the hospital’s security operators were often unable to provide accurate evidence during forensic investigations and many liability claims and hospital incidents went unresolved.
CHH needed a cost-effective, comprehensive security solution that could protect patients and staff across multiple locations while still being flexible enough to scale with the hospital’s growing needs.
Artificial intelligence and analytics
With a desire to improve its legacy surveillance system, CHH looked to Avigilon’s advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology and video analytics to meet its security needs. CHH began a multi-phase upgrade that included installing over 100 Avigilon cameras with self-learning video analytics, deploying AI-based Avigilon Appearance Search technology, and using impulse radar technology with the Avigilon Presence Detector (APD) sensor.
Avigilon Appearance Search technology – a deep learning AI search engine – helps CHH quickly locate a specific person or vehicle of interest across all cameras, both inside the hospital and care centres as well as outside parking lots. This technology provides CHH’s operators with enhanced situational awareness, enabling fast event response, and helps to save time and effort during critical investigations. To protect areas of the hospital where cameras cannot be installed, CHH installed the Avigilon Presence Detector (APD), a discreet impulse radar device with self-learning radar analytics that scans, learns, and continuously adapts to its environment.
Capable of detecting persons who aren’t moving or are hidden, the APD sensors help improve situational awareness for CHH staff, and are used in areas where cameras are not permitted, such as restrooms or change rooms. When integrated with Avigilon Control Center (ACC) video management software, APD sensors alert CHH operators of human presence while still maintaining privacy.
Avigilon H4 cameras were used throughout the hospital to provide exceptional image quality and built-in self-learning video analytics, which provides accurate detection and notification of movement of people and vehicles. CHH also deployed HD multi-sensor cameras which provide up to four camera views per camera installation, using only one camera licence and network drop. This allows CHH’s staff to efficiently cover all angles in order to detect, verify, and act on potential security events across the hospital’s premises.
Avigilon solutions implemented
Appearance Search Technology: Sophisticated deep learning artificial intelligence (AI) search engine that sorts through hours of footage with ease.
Avigilon Presence Detector (APD): Small form-factor impulse radar device, with self-learning radar analytics that scans, learns and continuously adapts to the environment for extremely accurate detection.
Avigilon Control Center (ACC): A simplified screen layout and advanced search functions help enhance the way security professionals interpret, manage and interact with surveillance video.
HD multi-sensor dome cameras: Full situational awareness with innovative, flexible scene coverage.
H4 cameras with self-learning video analytics: Record video directly with an on-board solid-state drive and built-in ACC software.
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