Health + Tech | Enhancing patient safety with smart tech

Patient safety remains a critical concern in hospitals worldwide, and Jamaica is no exception. With global and local pushes towards safer, smarter healthcare systems, it is time to truly begin to explore technology-driven solutions to improve patient care and reduce risks. From medication errors to fall prevention and infection control, various technological advancements are now available to enhance safety and streamline operations. These tools not only offer precision in addressing specific patient needs but also ease the workload on healthcare workers, so that they can focus on essential, personalised care.

Among the notable smart technologies gaining traction in hospitals are automated medication dispensers, which can significantly reduce the risk of errors that can occur during manual medication administration. These devices store and dispense specific doses automatically, which helps to ensure that patients receive the right medication at the correct times, minimising human error.

TACKLING FALLS

Fall-related injuries are a common issue and so fall prevention remains an area of concern for medical staff and there are now smart beds to address the risk of this. These beds have sensors that can alert staff when a patient may be attempting to get out of bed unassisted. This is especially beneficial in wards with patients with mobility issues. The beds can also be equipped with digital monitoring systems, which continuously track patients’ vital signs, providing instant alerts to healthcare staff if a patient’s condition shows signs of deterioration. This enables them to swiftly interevent if and when required.

INFECTION CONTROL

Infection control is another area where smart healthcare technology can make a considerable impact. Automated sanitisation systems, such as ultraviolet (UV) light robots and automated dispensers for hand sanitiser, are increasingly found in healthcare settings. Air filtration technologies can also be integrated into hospitals to improve air quality and reduce airborne transmission risks, a need that has been highlighted following the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital hygiene monitoring systems further support these efforts by tracking staff adherence to hand hygiene protocols. With their ability to provide real-time data and feedback, these systems can play a crucial role in infection prevention, helping to address issues like antimicrobial resistance and the spread of infectious diseases within healthcare facilities.

Technology is evolving and is being increasingly applied across industry. For years, health technology has been moving towards achieving better health outcomes for patients and easier and more efficient workflows for healthcare workers. It may take some time, but I believe that our hospitals and health centres can one day transition to fully “smart” healthcare facilities. With interconnected systems and real-time monitoring of patient health, a smart hospital could offer a comprehensive and seamless healthcare experience.

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For example, patients’ health data could be automatically tracked and analysed, so that healthcare professionals can make data-driven decisions quickly. Such a facility could also support integrated communication between departments, improving coordination and minimising delays in patient care. While this vision of a fully smart hospital is ambitious, it is not unrealistic, given the continued advancements in healthcare technology and the rising focus on patient safety. A partnership between the Government and private sector could play a crucial role in realising this vision. Investment in health technology infrastructure, as well as in training healthcare workers, are essential for us to move towards a more technology driven healthcare sector.

Patient safety is paramount, and smart healthcare technology has the potential to make a profound impact on healthcare outcomes. The Government has started the process of digitising some hospitals and it is my hope that in the next few years they will continue to build on this vision, and thus move us closer towards achieving fully smart health facilities. Prioritising funding, training, and ongoing maintenance will be important to ensure the success of these initiatives. Smart technologies can enable us to have a safer, more efficient, and better equipped healthcare facilities fully ready to meet the needs of our growing population.

Doug Halsall is the chairman and CEO of Advanced Integrated Systems. Email feedback to doug.halsall@gmail.com and editorial@gleanerjm.com.