Laura’s Role and Perspective
Laura Cozens is a registered mental health nurse whose career began in an older adult unit before moving to Broadmoor High Secure Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in 2003 as a mental health technician. She later received a scholarship to become a registered mental health nurse and eventually joined the senior management team at Broadmoor. Now, as head of patient safety and quality at Oxehealth, she draws from decades of experience to improve outcomes for both patients and staff. Throughout her career, she has consistently emphasized that ensuring patient safety in behavioral health requires careful planning, teamwork, and the support of innovative tools.
Broadmoor Hospital’s Unique Environment
Broadmoor Hospital is one of three high-secure psychiatric hospitals in England and Wales, treating patients with severe mental illness or personality disorders who pose a high degree of risk to themselves or others. The hospital has a long history of providing specialist care and has been internationally recognized for its research and clinical excellence. Its 2019 redevelopment created a state-of-the-art facility designed to improve patient safety and experience. In this environment, patient safety in behavioral health is paramount, as staff must balance security with therapeutic care for patients with complex needs.
Daily Challenges in Care
Working at a high-security hospital presents unique challenges. Laura identifies patient safety and staffing as the top concerns. Ensuring patient safety in behavioral health means not only preventing harm but also providing effective care that facilitates rehabilitation. Additionally, recruitment and retention challenges create further pressures on staff, making it essential to provide tools and systems that support both clinical care and workforce sustainability.
The Role of Oxevision Technology
Oxevision, developed by Oxehealth, has been transformative in addressing these challenges. It is an infrared-sensitive camera system installed in patient rooms that allows for real-time monitoring of patient activity and vital signs. Staff can access this information on fixed screens or portable devices, enabling proactive observation without disturbing patients. By reducing nighttime interruptions and enabling non-intrusive monitoring, Oxevision contributes directly to patient safety in behavioral health.
Enhancing Clinical Decision-Making
The data provided by Oxevision supports clinicians in making informed, timely decisions. Staff receive alerts about patient activity and can intervene before adverse events occur. This proactive approach strengthens patient safety in behavioral health by giving clinicians objective information to guide care, improving outcomes, and reducing the risk of incidents. Access to continuous monitoring data allows treatment teams to create personalized plans based on accurate observations.
Supporting Staff Wellbeing
Technology like Oxevision also benefits staff by reducing stress and workload. Fewer disruptions during the night and the availability of reliable monitoring tools allow staff to focus on therapeutic engagement rather than repetitive safety checks. Supporting staff wellbeing in this way indirectly enhances patient safety in behavioral health, as a rested and confident team can provide higher-quality care and respond more effectively to patient needs.
Fostering Therapeutic Relationships
A significant advantage of non-intrusive monitoring is the ability to strengthen therapeutic relationships. Patients feel less disturbed by constant checks, which builds trust and promotes a sense of safety. This environment allows patients to participate more fully in treatment, contributing to better outcomes and reinforcing the importance of patient safety in behavioral health.
Looking Ahead
Laura emphasizes that technology alone is not a solution; it must be integrated with clinical expertise and compassionate care. By adopting advanced monitoring tools and innovative strategies, behavioral health providers can improve outcomes for both patients and staff. Ensuring patient safety in behavioral health should remain a central priority, and investments in technology like Oxevision represent a major step forward in achieving this goal.
