A Lifesaving App for Those in Need
Vitals Aware Services has developed a potentially life-saving app for individuals with invisible vulnerabilities. These individuals, who may have disabilities or mental health conditions, can struggle to communicate effectively with emergency service personnel in high-pressure situations. This can lead to misunderstandings or escalations that put them at risk of injury or harm.
The Vitals app is designed to bridge this communication gap and provide emergency responders with crucial information about the individual’s needs and preferences. The app has different interfaces for the user, the caregiver, and the police officials. Caregivers can use the app to share valuable information about the individual, such as a list of disabilities, emergency contacts, and communication tools and calming tactics that are specific to their loved one.
Where It Started
Officer Rob Zink of the Saint Paul police department was instrumental in the development of the Vitals app. As a father of two children with autism, Officer Zink understands the complexity of communication for both parties and saw an opportunity to improve interactions between vulnerable individuals and law enforcement. He shared his ideas with the Autism Society of Minnesota, and Lab651 was honored to craft the technology for them.
“As a SaaS-based company, one of the hardest decisions is whether to staff up and handle the software development ourselves or outsource. We found that by partnering with Lab651 the caliber of engineers was higher, the creativity was greater, delivery times were less and the quality of the solution delivered was higher than we could have done on our own.”
— Steve Mase CEO, Vitals™Aware Services
How Lab651 Helped
Lab651 created three different mobile applications and a website for Vitals. The first mobile app is for the police officer and notifies them when they are near an individual carrying the Vitals beacon. The app shares information provided by the caregiver, such as medical information, situation diffusion strategies, and emergency contact information, to facilitate safe interaction with the individual.
The second mobile app is an alternative to the beacon for a vulnerable individual. This app causes the user’s phone to emit a signal that is picked up by the officer’s Vitals application and securely displayed on their phone.
The third app is for the caregiver and allows them to edit information for the individual and be notified when and where interactions happen between their loved ones and first responders. The caregiver also has a tethering option that notifies them if the individual exceeds 80ft of the caregiver.
Lab651 also created and manages Vitals’ cloud platform, which works as an administration portal for caregivers and first responders to see where interactions are happening with their loved ones anonymously. They also built and maintained their public-facing website and e-commerce store.
Safer, Meaningful Interactions
Thanks to the Vitals app, emergency responders now have a more meaningful and effective way to assist individuals with invisible vulnerabilities. Caregivers have peace of mind, and the independence of individuals with vulnerabilities is supported. The app has already helped prevent misunderstandings and escalations, but it’s potential impact goes beyond that. As more people become aware of the app’s life-saving features, it has the potential to improve outcomes for vulnerable individuals and emergency responders alike.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about Vitals Aware Services and the life-saving technology they provide to vulnerable individuals. We encourage you to visit their website to learn more about their products and services and consider supporting their mission through a donation or by spreading awareness about their important work. Together, we can help ensure the safety and well-being of all members of our community, especially those with invisible vulnerabilities. Let’s work together to make a difference.