Mendip Vale Medical Group
During the short time we have been using RemoteM to monitor temperatures in our fridges and freezers, the system has definitely paid for itself in terms of identifying and alerting on events which would otherwise have resulted in significant loss of stock. Installing RemoteM has reduced costs, improved efficiency and simplified the monitoring process for our team- Andy Carpenter, Digital Director, Mendip Vale Medical Group
About Mendip Vale Medical Group
Mendip Vale Medical Group forms part of a Primary Care Network (PCN), delivering quality NHS healthcare services to over 85,000 patients and working from nine locations in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. The Group brings together both NHS and local services including community, mental health, social care and volunteering, looking after local patients and providing integrated health and social care. Integrating care more effectively enables the Group to provide access to a wider range of healthcare and associated facilities to patients.
Implementing technology for efficiency and accuracy
When Andy Carpenter joined Mendip Vale Medical Group as Digital Director a year ago, he conducted a detailed audit of processes and systems used by the Group. The objective was to identify opportunities where implementing innovative technology would increase efficiency, optimise budgets and streamline working procedures.
One of the areas which came immediately to his attention was temperature monitoring for fridges and freezers storing vaccines and other temperature-sensitive products. Across the Group practices, staff were using datalogger devices to monitor fridge temperatures.
I was aware there were better solutions on the market. Our processes were time consuming, with the potential for inaccuracy and no alert facilities in the event of a temperature outage.- Andy Carpenter, Digital Director, Mendip Vale Medical Group
Researching and trialling a new solution
Andy began to research the different options available for automated temperature monitoring, and came across the RemoteM system. “The information suggested RemoteM offered everything we were looking for, from total automation of temperature monitoring processes through to 24/7 alerting in the event of any issues with power supply or appliance failure,” he stated.
He made the decision to take advantage of the free trial offered by Remote Monitoring Ltd to assess the capabilities of the system. “During the trial period, nothing of importance happened,” confirmed Andy. “We experienced the odd alert, for example when the two fridges used for the trial were being restocked, then the ‘all clear’ when normal service was resumed.”
Based on ease of installation and use, the facilities provided by RemoteM including total automation, 24/7 alerts and the simplicity of the reporting function, the decision was made to install RemoteM across all eight Mendip Vale Medical Group sites, covering 24 fridges. “We have received excellent feedback from our nursing staff in terms of time saved, efficient processes and availability of reports,” confirmed Andy.
RemoteM working for Mendip Vale Medical Group
Even more importantly, Andy can identify at least three events when RemoteM has played an important role in identifying potentially costly issues.
1 - Fridge door
The first was a simple failure to close a fridge door during the working day. Within an hour, RemoteM had alerted on the rising temperature levels within the fridge, the door was closed securely and there was no loss of stock.
2 - Power cut
The second was a power cut of around two and a half hours. Under previous circumstances, with an outage over two hours, much of the stock from the fridges and freezers affected would have been disposed of. The RemoteM system continues to take readings even during power cuts; when power is restored data is sent immediately to the cloud, from where it can be checked and verified. These records clearly demonstrated that temperatures in the fridges had held up well and the stock was safe for use.
3 - Accidentally unplugging the fridge
The third event occurred on Christmas Eve, when the practice in question was closed for the holidays. The cleaning team had actually accidentally turned a fridge off when doing a late night clean. The RemoteM system alerted on the issue which was then resolved immediately, saving £4000 of vaccine stocks. “Equally importantly alongside the savings, we had a big vaccination clinic planned for 2nd January which we would have had to cancel at the last minute – problematic for patients and very time consuming for staff,” Andy confirmed.
Fast and easy to install, simplicity itself to use
Rolling out the RemoteM system across Mendip Vale Medical Group practices was simple and straightforward. Andy took the required equipment to each location, installed it, and ensured that all staff were aware of how to access and use the service.
It doesn’t actually require any specific technical expertise to implement. For a smaller practice with for example just one base station and a couple of fridges, you could be up and running in less than half an hour. The team at RemoteM was very helpful and responsive as we were setting up eight locations and 24 fridges.- Andy Carpenter, Digital Director, Mendip Vale Medical Group
Mendip Vale Medical Group is now extending monitoring to ambient areas such as drugs cupboards in the dispensaries, which Andy says is an interesting exercise as these areas are often hotter than they should be to maintain drugs and other products in prime condition.
“I would not hesitate to recommend RemoteM to other medical practices,” he confirmed. “It has certainly achieved our objectives of increasing efficiency, optimising budgets and streamlining working procedures, as well as saving us a significant amount of money in terms of stock losses over just a few short months.”
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