INTELLIGENT HOSPITALS

What precisely is an “intelligent hospital”. After all, a hospital is a facility where people with varying ailments are diagnosed of their ailments and treated accordingly. So in effect, is it not the people who treat who are meant to be smart!! Consider a scenario where it is not just the treating team but also the facility where treatment is conducted that is smart!! This means introducing and adapting to smart technology that can vastly contribute to the needs of care seekers and providers and thus enhance patient care.

The dependence on technology is per force finding its way into the portals of hospitals what with the deficiency in staff numbers (nurses, residents in particular); changes in statutory requirements, financial constraints, etc. Thus with a judicious combination of technology and manpower, hospitals will need to reassess and reengineer their operational processes across the board.

This is just one aspect of a smart hospital as it cannot operate independent of a well thought through facility design. This does not just refer to the architectural excellence and interiors design but also to the fact that these parameters take cognizance of operational factors; patient and attendant convenience and comfort; matters related to devices and material; technically sound planning, etc. It is thus important to create smart buildings ensuring that “digital” is at the epicentre of the concept, design and construction process. This would enable working in tandem on factors concerning risks, costs, environmental and social considerations thereby optimising the design to facilitate operations across the facility.

Intelligent Hospitals adopt technologies such as AI, 5G networks, IoT to facilitate streamlining of protocols and processes, almost nullifying shortfalls and thereby resulting in seamless operations that finally lead to better patient care. Amongst the several examples of using technology in hospitals would be an extensive use of the hospital information management and allied medical record system throughout the patient journey from OPD, IPD, diagnostics, interventions till discharge and maintaining patient records in digital format. This also facilitates future referencing and cross population studies.

Thus, technology helps improve connectivity within the hospitals leading to a seamless interaction between clinicians, greater staff productivity leading to high quality care and finally improved communication with patients who are the paramount reason for the hospital’s existence.

The United Kingdom is establishing a few such hospitals where technology is being integrated right from the planning and design stage. They are creating virtual wards using digital technology as a result of which people’s health can be monitored in the precincts of their homes and ailments can be managed.

India, with its large population and formidable technology and design experts could take this effort to greater lengths and create smart hospitals to enhance patient care and care giver efficiency and satisfaction.

Dhanraj Chandriani

Technecon Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.