Gore Hospital’s chief executive Karl Metzler told FutureGov that one in five New Zealander lives in a rural or remote area. “We’re exploring robotics technology to manage healthcare, and reduce pressures on our medical system.”
Healthcare-oriented robots and software are being piloted for primary, community and aged care. “We want to understand where robots can best provide improved health outcomes, especially for long-term chronic care patients.”
These robots are being developed in partnership with the University of Auckland. This programme will help manage medication – with the ability to monitor vital signs, and relay emergency text alerts to healthcare providers and families.
Gore Hospital is a community-based public hospital in a remote part of Eastern Southland. It earlier ran a pilot involving this technology with Selwyn Care. Project partners are assessing the potential for home-based healthcare using robotics technology – especially across hard-to-access areas — with limited access to medical care, and a shortage of doctors.
Among the features, robots are being designed to measure vital signs, including blood pressure and heart rate. This data is automatically relayed to clinicians and care-givers to monitor for falls.
Robots come equipped with voice recognition technology, and “talk back” to patients, reminding them to take medication. One upside is being able to bridge communication between families and caregivers.
Robots “walking” around a room offer levels of “companionship” by proxy. During emergencies, text messages can be sent to designated phone users, flagging a problem, and galvanising help.
These problems may range from incorrect medication data through to measuring an abnormal vital sign. “Robots are being designed with the idea of extending independent living,” says Metzler.
Other initiatives at Gore Hospital include teaming on telehealth with VitelMed. This telehealth initiative supports remote consulting and virtual care. It tackles the shortage of GPs, high cost of locums, and being able to readily access specialist health professionals.
Gore Hospital is also using software from HealthTRX. This is a community care workforce, patient scheduling and tracking mobility system. This solution optimises workflow and reporting functions.
Last year, Gore Hospital was selected by the Ministry of Health as a pilot site to trial mobile communications for its district nursing area. Hand-held tablets and mobile devices are being used by nurses to reduce form-filling and paperwork. Mobile communications boost staff efficiency, and help with managing time more efficiently for field staff, often at dispersed locations.
“Mobile communications has been very successful with our district nursing team,” notes Metzler. “It improves the productivity of staff by eliminating unnecessary administration and travel time.”
E-health case studies are featured at the Annual FutureHealth Forum Tuesday 17th April in Sydney. Visit FutureHealth Forum
---
Autor(en)/Author(s): Shahida Sweeney
Quelle/Source: futureGov, 19.03.2013
Bitte besuchen Sie/Please visit:
