FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the KEWS300 system do?
The KEWS300 system delivers paperless, software-assisted, vital-sign observation recording and review and immediate care-protocol guidance at the bedside while simultaneously archiving the records on a central server, feeding them to an EHR (if any), displaying the records at the Ward Central station and allowing remote access to authorised users such as clinicians and management.
Who uses it?
The principal bedside user is the nurse, who uses it for all patient ‘rounding’ activities and follow-up. The clinical staff also use it either at point-of-care or remotely to review patient status and trends. The Ward Manager uses it centrally to maintain close supervision of the real-time status of all patients and to monitor staff workload. Compliance and Quality staff may use it to monitor adherence to protocol and care policy.
How does it function?
The KEWS300 system is typically presented to the user via a touchscreen tablet mounted on the vital-sign monitor equipment used for patient rounding. The system accepts the patient vital-signs from the monitor equipment and combines them with other observations added directly by the nurse in order to compile a complete observation record, including (i) calculating any Early-Warning-Score that a hospital may use and (ii) providing real-time protocol guidance to the nurse as defined by the hospital’s policies. The tablet links by WiFi to the Server and from there the observation record is immediately posted to the EHR (if any) and to the Ward Central Station. Authorised users may remotely access these records.
Is it medically approved?
The KEWS300 system is classed as a Class II ‘medical device’ by the European Union’s Medical Device Directive regulations. It is fully CE-marked as such and approved for sale throughout the EU. Additionally it is FDA-cleared for sale in the USA. The software is fully validated and has been independently certified by the regulatory authorities.
Will it connect to my ward-based equipment?
KEWS300 complies with international interface standards. Vital-sign monitors typically have interface ports which allow KEWS300 to easily connect e.g. General Electric’s Dinamap, Welsh-Allyn’s CSM etc. If any equipment is in use which does not have external ports then KEWS300 allows the nurse to simply enter those monitor values via the touchscreen. No existing ward-based equipment will need to be replaced if KEWS300 is implemented.
Will it connect to the H.I.S.?
KEWS300 is HL7 compliant and can connect to any element of the Hospital Information System (such as PAS or EHR) either bi-directionally through query-retrieve or via an ADT listener.
Is it scalable?
Yes, the system is scalable from a single ward to an entire hospital.
Is the system customisable?
Yes, KEWS300 allows the hospital to define their own specific observation record format including protocol guidance, escalation prompts and any local scoring system being used.
How much training is required?
KEWS300 was designed in compliance with the international usability standard (ISO62366) and it presents a highly intuitive user-interface. As such, typical staff training times are less than an hour.
What is the minimum Server specification?
Standard: EN 60950-1:2006
Processor: 2 Cores 1.4 GHz
RAM: 4 GB
Hard Disk Space: 250 GB
Network Controller: 10/100 Mbit Ethernet
Will it operate without an E.H.R?
Yes, KEWS300 provides a secure archive repository at the server. If remote access is required a separate file-server can be configured to service those authorised users.
What is the architecture?
KEWS300 is a Client-Server system.
How secure is the patient data?
All data is encrypted and the system is password protected.
Will it work with remote Android, iOS or Windows devices?
Yes.