As Australia and the world looks to easing restrictions after the COVID-19 pandemic, a Vital Monitoring System (VMS) has been designed to give employers and employees peace-of-mind when it comes to safely returning to the workplace.
Samsung Electronics Australia has announced the trial of the re-open.com solution, on its Galaxy Watch4.
VMS, which recently launched globally in the US, is part of re-open.com, a cloud-based platform developed by Deakin's Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A2I2), the National Trauma Research Institute (NTRI), Alfred Health and SaniteX Global, to support the world as it recovers from COVID-19.
VMS uses both physical health indicators and self-reporting tools to deliver an easy screening tool that is ideal for front-line workers and is a clinically proven risk management technology.
The system uses algorithms to identify and predict respiratory risk indicators - for all respiratory illness, including COVID-19 - based on a user's vital signs and responses to health-related questions.
Prior to their shift, the user receives an SMS message, which links to an observation survey containing questions about their vital symptoms. This includes temperature, heart rate, COVID-19 symptoms (including body aches, headaches, or a sore throat), and whether they have been in close contact with anyone who has had, or shown symptoms of having, COVID-19.
If the user passes the screening, they will receive a QR code which will grant them access to the workplace.
Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute Co-Director, Professor Kon Mouzakis says smart devices are the perfect platform for VMS screening.
"In order for the VMS solution to have the scale and usability that we want it to, we need to meet people where they are, on their favourite platforms, and with a seamless ease-of-use," Professor Mouzakis said. "Samsung's Galaxy Watch4 is a perfect device for us to partner with, given its health tracking capabilities - and we're delighted that both current and prospective Galaxy Watch users will be able to utilise their device for VMS screening."
Acting Director of Emergency at Alfred Health, Dr Carl Luckhoff, who has been involved in trialling the VMS solution, said, "Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been faced with considerable unknowns. Screening measures will play an imperative role in the recovery process."
Head of Enterprise & Government Mobile Business at Samsung Electronics Australia, Danny Mandrides, said, "Partnering with Deakin University and SaniteX Global on the VMS solution provides us with an opportunity to help in the quest to return the world to some sort of normality, and that's incredibly exciting."
SaniteX Global's Founder & CEO, David A. Collard, said, "The VMS solution has been built through a strong partnership with Deakin University and Alfred Health. Partnering with Samsung and its global capabilities will see VMS scaled significantly, helping the individuals who wear the Galaxy Watch4 monitor their wellbeing with ease and make the world a safer place."
The solution's strict security measures mean that personal health data is kept secure and confidential. Data is encrypted to employers. The only people who can ever access the data are clinicians to help in the case of people needing treatment and requiring accessing health records. The new screening tool is compliant with the highest standard of health privacy regulations.
