Speeding check in with touch sensors

Jon Witte, Managing Director of Engage Health Systems, explained: “Our expertise lies in developing user-friendly and secure systems which make patients and clinicians lives easier and ensure a safe working environment for all staff. We are passionate about developing and implementing products which simplify, digitise and safeguard the workplace. Our clients tell us how our products have helped empower their staff and patients whilst streamlining administrative tasks to achieve a cost-effective, efficient working environment.

“When we first created Engage Touch, it was clear that a well-designed touch interface was essential to create a screen that was easy and intuitive to use by the full and diverse spectrum of patients visiting surgeries, including the elderly, the disabled, those with a limited command of English and those with other special needs. Features include a multi-lingual interface, which can essentially only be implemented using a touch interface.”

The vision for Engage Touch was to allow patients to quickly and conveniently check-in for their appointment and to assist the practice with capturing patient data. With a patient check-in kiosk, practices avoid lengthy queues at reception and improve operating efficiency.

A number of key considerations surrounded the choice of touch sensor. Clearly the sensor itself had to offer exceptional performance, a clear, crisp response even if the touch was hesitant. Engage Touch is built to order whether it’s a single order placed by a surgery or a large CCG procurement. The touch screen supplier needed to offer complete flexibility of supply, to suit Engage Health Systems’ requirements.

Engage Health Systems created its own enclosure for Engage Touch, which fitted into the surgery environment and in particular is easy to clean and disinfect with suitable detergents. In partnership with Display Technology, Zytronic designed and delivered a touch sensor to meet their exact requirements. The solution selected was a three millimetre thick Anti-Glare 19” ZYBRIDX sensor paired with a Zytronic ZXY100 controller.

Jon Witte commented: “Zytronic’s flexibility and responsiveness and Display Technology’s support throughout the design process was exceptional. We believe in dealing with UK suppliers wherever possible, and Zytronic fully demonstrated the value of this approach.

“We now have over 1500 terminals live in doctor’s surgeries around the country. All our terminals come with a lifetime guarantee and we’ve never had a unit back because of a touch issue. They see a surprising level of abuse. They’ve been ripped off the wall and we regularly see them with scratches and gouges but the touch screen just keeps going.”

Ian Crosby, Sales and Marketing Director at Zytronic, added: “Our partnership with Engage Health Systems has gone from strength to strength for over ten years. They have continuously developed and improved the software at the heart of their product. Zytronic touch sensors have provided a reliable, rugged and flexible interface for patients and surgery staff to access the capabilities of this outstanding terminal."