The recent disappearance of a resident from a care home in France, who was later found deceased several kilometres from the building, has reignited debate within the healthcare and social care sector regarding the real capacity to monitor movement within these environments.
The case has highlighted a situation well known to professionals: residents going missing, particularly those suffering from cognitive impairment, remains one of the greatest challenges in care homes. It is not merely a question of supervision, but of the difficulty in detecting an unplanned exit in time.
Beyond direct care, the incident places the spotlight on the physical environment itself and on safety measures. The absence of systems capable of identifying and tracking users in real time can hinder the early detection of an uncontrolled departure.
An increasing number of facilities are now incorporating solutions that allow real-time monitoring of movement, detection of unauthorised displacements, and the activation of automatic alerts in risk situations.
This is the case with systems such as Horustec Sociosanitario, developed to go far beyond a simple location solution. Its operation is based on identification devices, such as discreet wristbands or tags, combined with a network of antennas distributed throughout the facility. These elements make it possible to determine the real-time location of each patient within the building.
All information is centralised on a platform that clearly displays the location and movements of each patient, enabling more efficient management of the environment. From there, it is possible to define safe zones and restricted areas according to the needs of the facility, triggering preventive alerts to staff when access to these areas occurs.
These notifications are delivered in real time to mobile devices or terminals, allowing for rapid intervention. All of this operates discreetly, without interfering with daily routines or with the comfort of both patients and staff.
Because, in many cases, the difference between an incident occurring and maintaining a safe environment depends not only on the level of care provided, but also on the quality and effectiveness of the security measures implemented.
