Acute behavioral health inpatient units face a demanding daily challenge in providing consistent and thorough patient supervision. A typical unit with 16 patients requires staff to perform safety checks on each individual every 15 minutes—commonly referred to as Q15 rounding. This amounts to 96 checks per patient daily, totaling a staggering 1,536 safety checks across the unit every day. Despite the dedication of healthcare teams, risks such as falls, self-harm, staff assaults, and suicide attempts remain significant challenges. Vision-Based Patient Monitoring in Behavioral Health offers an innovative solution, leveraging advanced technology to enhance safety and improve patient outcomes while reducing the burden on staff.
One of the most difficult aspects of Q15 rounding is the unavoidable disruption it causes, especially during nighttime hours. Staff members are required to enter patients’ rooms regularly to confirm they are alive and well, often needing to open doors or flash lights to assess consciousness. This process, although essential for safety, interrupts patients’ sleep — a vital factor for mental health recovery. Repeated disturbances can increase agitation and anxiety, delay healing, and negatively impact overall wellbeing.
Oxevision and Vision-Based Patient Monitoring in Behavioral Health
Recognizing the challenges faced by behavioral health facilities, UK-based healthcare technology company Oxehealth has developed Oxevision, a vision-based patient monitoring platform designed specifically for these clinical settings. This non-contact system utilizes advanced computer vision technology to remotely measure medical-grade pulse rates and breathing rates through chest wall movements, all without staff physically entering patient rooms.
By enabling digital safety checks, Oxevision reduces the need for disruptive physical rounds, helping patients maintain more restful and uninterrupted sleep. At the same time, it mitigates the risk of human error by continuously providing objective, real-time vital signs data to clinical teams.
Addressing Staffing Challenges with Vision-Based Patient Monitoring in Behavioral Health
The healthcare industry, particularly behavioral health, continues to face a serious staffing crisis marked by shortages and burnout. These pressures make it difficult for staff to manage the intense demands of Q15 rounding and patient care effectively. Vision-based patient monitoring in behavioral health, as offered by Oxevision, provides critical support by enhancing staff efficiency and safety.
Oxevision delivers location- and activity-based alerts that notify clinicians of potentially risky patient behaviors or changes in health status. These insights allow staff to prioritize care, prevent incidents proactively, and allocate their time more effectively. Behavioral health providers implementing this technology have reported a 92% reduction in staff stress and a 71% decrease in one-on-one observation hours over a year — freeing up approximately 7,800 staff hours in a 24-bed unit.
More Time for Hands-On Care
One of the most significant advantages of vision-based patient monitoring in behavioral health is the ability to free clinical teams from constant manual rounding. With continuous, real-time information on patient status, clinicians spend less time on routine safety checks and more time engaging in therapeutic, one-on-one care.
Oxevision’s alerts help identify patients who require immediate attention — such as those at risk of falling or exhibiting distress — allowing staff to intervene quickly and efficiently. Health care assistants have shared that the system gives them confidence and reassurance, saying, “With Oxevision, we know when a patient is on the edge of the bed and can check on them before a fall occurs.” This proactive approach not only prevents injuries but also enhances the overall quality of care.
Enhanced Patient Risk Management
Self-harm is a pervasive concern in behavioral health inpatient units, often occurring in private areas like patient bedrooms and bathrooms. Vision-based patient monitoring in behavioral health offers a powerful tool to mitigate these risks. Oxevision’s location- and activity-based alerts can detect unusual patient behaviors that might signal increased risk, such as extended time spent in an en-suite bathroom or lingering near doorways.
This early warning capability allows clinical staff to intervene before incidents escalate, safeguarding patients from harm. According to an Oxehealth report, 85% of staff agreed that the system improved their ability to manage self-harm risk effectively. By identifying potential warning signs that might otherwise go unnoticed, Oxevision contributes to safer, more responsive care environments.
Better Staff Safety
While protecting patients is paramount, staff safety remains an essential priority in behavioral health settings. Patients experiencing acute psychiatric distress may sometimes pose threats to caregivers. Vision-based patient monitoring in behavioral health helps reduce this risk by alerting staff to behaviors indicative of escalating aggression or potential assault.
Oxevision’s Vital Signs module also supports remote monitoring of patient physical health metrics such as pulse and breathing rates. This allows clinicians to deliver care in less restrictive ways and use de-escalation strategies informed by real-time physiological data. In surveys, 69% of staff reported that Oxevision helped prevent assaults on staff by providing early warnings of risky behaviors.
Data-Driven Clinical Decision Making
A key strength of vision-based patient monitoring in behavioral health is its ability to generate objective data continuously. Oxevision streams pulse and breathing rates to nursing stations and portable devices, enabling staff to monitor vital signs trends over time.
This information helps clinicians detect subtle changes in patient health that might otherwise go unnoticed, allowing for earlier and more precise interventions. The system’s reports also support meaningful discussions between patients and clinicians about care plans and treatment adjustments.
According to staff feedback, 81% agreed that Oxevision helped identify potentially unseen incidents, while 87% stated it improved the overall quality of care delivered. These data-driven insights enhance personalized care and contribute to better patient outcomes.
Improved Patient Experience
Patients themselves benefit significantly from vision-based patient monitoring in behavioral health. By reducing the frequency and intrusiveness of physical safety checks, Oxevision preserves patients’ privacy, dignity, and comfort. This less disruptive approach leads to better sleep and a stronger sense of safety.
In behavioral health units using Oxevision, 94% of staff agreed the system improved patient safety. Furthermore, 78% of patients reported experiencing fewer nighttime disturbances, and 70% felt their overall wellbeing had improved as a result of the less intrusive monitoring process.
Conclusion
Vision-based patient monitoring in behavioral health is revolutionizing how inpatient units deliver care. Technologies like Oxevision reduce the workload and stress of staff, improve patient safety, and enhance clinical decision-making with continuous, real-time data.
By replacing disruptive manual checks with non-contact digital monitoring, behavioral health facilities can create safer, more healing environments where patients’ dignity and rest are prioritized. This allows clinical teams to devote more time to meaningful, therapeutic interactions and proactive interventions, leading to better outcomes for everyone involved.
As one behavioral health nurse put it, “Oxevision helps with staff anxiety because you’re not being as intrusive with patients. It really does help us keep our patients safe.”
