Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1347119
April/May/June 2021 I 61 AUTOMATION IN SENIOR LIVING Even in the high-touch, hands-on environment of health care, automation is garnering greater investment and market penetration. In fact, the healthcare automation market is expected to exceed more than $60 billion by 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9 percent. 1 While much of the innovation falls into the robotic process automation category, many passive and personalized automation uses cases are beginning to materialize as critical to the health, utility, and value of both human and capital resources. Nearly every one of these use cases depends on real-time actions and reactions, neither of which is possible without a system that supports both immediate and advanced directives. Power over Ethernet has all the characteristics and capabilities to power such a system and to be the rails on which internet of things (IoT) device data rides. Using a software-defined system with PoE provides a rapid-to-deploy turn-key solution. Pre-engineered kits for specific-sized rooms enable toolless deployment of all required parts and pieces preconfigured. Daisy-chaining PoE nodes that each power and connect numerous devices spreads the cost of PoE switches and homeruns across many device connections. set different permission levels for specific indi- viduals, enabling the system to automatically allow or deny access to a space. Real-time data from the platform can activate other connected devices, such as low-cost door locks, notification services, color signal lighting, and warning sounds powered by nearby PoE nodes. • Motion and pressure sensors that monitor a resident's movements around a room and out of bed can help caregivers spot health concerns before they become larger problems and require more intensive treatment. A resident who begins visiting the restroom at reduced intervals or getting out of bed more often may be experiencing the start of a medical issue. Sensors can trigger alerts to staff or other actions, such as automatically turning on lights. These special use cases are possible with PoE nodes that power and connect readily available and vendor-agnostic sensors, controls, actuators, and lights. • Cybersecurity of patient data can also be enhanced through IoT systems that use tokens and other advanced authentication methods. Numerous IT standards already exist and can be employed for this use. These include DHCP, IPv6 addressing, 802.1x authentication, 802.1ae Mac-Sec, and 802.1q tagging. Connected machine learning and network security monitors recognize communication patterns and activate quarantines on suspect devices and integrations. • Intelligent lighting control enables a variety of strategies, such as daylight harvesting or deep dimming for energy savings and personalized color and temperature settings for employee productivity and resident satisfaction. Power over Ethernet solutions can meet all standards for advanced lighting control, including ASHREA 90.1, Title 24, IEEE standards, NFPA NEC and UL924. Users can remotely modify site configurations and avoid truck rolls through policy-based and context-driven control behaviors. A highly relevant use case for automated processes enabled through such a system is the transfor- mation of a senior living center into a healthy building. Software-defined intelligent disinfection solutions sanitize exposed surfaces in public and private spaces via ultraviolet C (UV-C) LED lighting. When combined with safety checks from people-counting sensors, motion detectors, and door locks on the PoE network, the solutions become even more oriented for the safety of occupants. Air purification systems can also be added to minimize the spread of airborne pathogens. Other PoE-powered use cases benefiting owners and operators in the senior living space include: • Access controls integrated with facial recognition technology help building owners and operators better monitor people coming and going from a facility. Whitelist functionality allows staff to