As modern technology continues to evolve, we must consider how things like AI can be used day-to-day to improve ongoing functions. The persistent growth of artificial intelligence and robotics has allowed for extended research and interest in overall potential. Informed by past experiences, healthcare as an overall industry is a stand-out candidate for digitizing functions and implementing technology such as AI and robotics.
In a past blog, we have explored the digitization of the hospital experience, exploring how wayfinding, digital record management, and telehealth have increased efficiency and accessibility. It’s imperative that we also recognize the emotional challenges faced by patients and medical professionals on a regular basis. Leveraging AI and robots on the hospital floor aims to alleviate daily stressors and create a more regulated environment for all involved.
The impact of a centralized system is invaluable within a medical setting. Floor to floor, this system allows medical staff to communicate and accurately transmit information. In a technology forward hospital, a centralized system can visualize itself as a localized program that displays all the necessary information for monitoring each patient room on that floor, including tasks such as delivering ice, tracking a patient’s vitals, and fluid replacements. Having this information in one spot will allow nurses to tend to patients in a more efficient manner.
The system’s complexity can be tailored to each hospital’s needs. The ability to customize systems is a large benefit to integrating this type of technology. This enables efficient dispatching of healthcare workers to other patients on any given floor. Artificial intelligence, integrated with the tracking system, can predict patterns for each patient’s fluid levels and medication needs. An AI enabled system can benefit an emergency department greatly, forecasting patient waiting times and department crowding.
In patient rooms, specific buttons can be installed for simple requests such as ice or meal delivery. When activated, a robot can promptly fulfill these requests, minimizing disruptions to nurses and ensuring efficient care for all patients. Robots can efficiently deliver daily necessities to patients in high-risk areas of the hospital, eliminating the need for nurses to enter rooms and reducing PPE (personal protection equipment) consumption.
Robots can also serve as guides for wayfinding in hospitals and doctor’s offices, offering a convenient alternative to smartphone apps. Implementing robots for check-ins and navigation not only enhances convenience but also optimizes staffing resources for more critical tasks within the healthcare facility. Integrating AI and robots into the hospital environment might raise concerns for some, but the rapidly advancing landscape of technology solutions offers tangible benefits.
