Developed by Multitone Electronics, a specialist in designing, manufacturing, and implementing integrated communication systems, in conjunction with Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and the NHS Innovations team, Multitone’s new Key Finder product presents ‘a highly cost-effective and ingeniously straightforward solution to a common issue for medical staff – quickly locating the keys for the secure drugs storage’.
The Key Finder concept was envisaged by Sally Gray, Paediatric Practice educator at the Trust, who said: “Locating drugs storage keys means potential delays for patients receiving medication or treatment. The Key Finder takes seconds to locate the keys, allowing nurses to reinvest their time preparing medicines, interacting with patients, and ultimately improving the patient experience.”
Once the idea was conceived, the NHS Innovations team turned to Multitone Electronics to help develop the product. The Key Finder fob is attached to the drug keys, and, when activated by a nurse who needs them, vibrates and alarms, alerting the nurse with the keys that they are required. There is also the option of a night-time mode to reduce noise and disturbance at night.
The fob also vibrates and alarms if it is removed from the clinical area. The Key Finder is designed to be ward-specific, to ensure adjacent ward areas using the device can do so without crossinterference or confusion.
