Robots in the Healthcare Sector
Robots were once a figment of science fiction, unlikely to be present in the real world. While not appearing very human-like, they are changing the healthcare sector through their ability to free up the professional’s time for more urgent tasks. Medical procedures become more economical and practically risk-free, as some robots can also perform microscopic surgeries and move chemicals safely.
These robotic “Healthcare Assistants” help to track a patient’s vital organs and ping nurses when there is a requirement for professional assistance. This allows nurses to multi-task and watch over entire floors at once. Being linked into the back-end healthcare management system, these robots are able to update the patient’s health records accordingly and in a timely fashion. Robotic carts are also used to transport necessary tools, supplies and medication around the hospital in a safe manner. Recent usage for them include disinfecting operating theatres and wards to ensure a sterilised atmosphere for maximum safety.
How does this affect me?
These technologies are prevalent very immediately in the patient care sector. Think back to when you needed to have a blood sample extracted by a nurse who may not be able to locate your veins. These robots can accurately identify and extract the blood sample almost painlessly. In bigger compounds robots even carry used bed sheets and meals throughout different levels. Don’t be surprised if you see one in the elevator with you. Even down to the arrangement and dispensing of medication, robots almost definitely have some use within a hospital’s compound.
Robot friends of Changi General Hospital
Changi General Hospital (CGH) has recently rolled out more than 50 robots to assist in tasks such as surgeries and administrative duties. The Centre for Healthcare Assistive and Robotics Technology (CHART) is an important entity working with CGH to identify issues that can be solved with technology, and has provided the solution of these robots to the hospital.
While CHART has been working since 2015, Covid19 created a sense of urgency for contactless and remote medical services arrangements. Singapore as of now has the most elevated reception pace of modern robots anyplace on the planet, with 9 for each 100 laborers (although generally in the electronics sector). Presently, Selina Seah, director of CHART trusts robots can make medical care more available, reasonable, and of a better caliber even during pandemic circumstances. Covid19 meant that hospitals had to tolerate a higher influx of patients, and to do so with a limited manpower supply meant that robots had to be a vital part of the workforce.
Surgical robots, for example, the da Vinci Surgical System are among the most popular robots in the medical clinic, says Seah. These robots assume the role of the specialist’s “eyes”, helping with less intrusive medical procedures.
The pandemic has sped up the improvement of mechanical technology and coordinations, alleviating some of the dangers that medical care laborers require to handle each day. As of May 2021, the WHO estimates something like 115,000 medical care laborers worldwide have passed on because of Covid. It is now time for a new and improved part of the workforce to join us in the fight against Covid19, and as a permanent part of our Healthcare system.