HOLLAND — Holland Hospital recently implemented new thermal sensor imaging technology to help screen people’s temperatures as they enter the hospital.

The new technology, from care.ai, is meant to streamline the hospital’s temperature checks that are in place amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is pertinent everyone who enters the hospital gets to their destination quickly and safely,” stated Greg Chatfield, director of security and support services, through a press release.

“This fast, easy and non-intrusive system will not only streamline our point of entry process, but will also allow several of our staff to return to their pre-COVID employment positions.”

The self-serve devices from care.ai are approved by the Michigan Hospital association. Holland Hospital claims to be the first along the lakeshore to install the devices.

To use the device, a person entering the hospital will step up to a tablet and remove glasses, hats or hair from their forehead. They will then be instructed to center their forehead in the frame and a thermal sensor will scan their skin temperature.

When a reading is normal, a green light will display and that person can continue. If a reading is outside of a normal temperature range, a red light will display and ask the person to wait for assistance.

A designated staff member will be notified and provide appropriate guidance, the hospital said. Temperature records and photo thumbnails are purged after 30 minutes.