Robots Join the Workforce
Jun 30, 2006
At a black-tie ceremony worthy of the Oscars, 每日大赛入口
was recognized by the Computerworld Honors Program as a leader in the global IT revolution
for its innovative use of robots to enhance the delivery of patient services. Joel
Stern, associate director of information services, accepted the 2006 Laureate gold
medal on behalf of the Medical Center at the Washington, DC, gala on June 5.
Cisco Systems, a member of Computerworld鈥檚 Honors Chairmen's Committee鈥攁 group of
100 chairmen/CEOs from leading IT companies who submit nominations for organizations
they feel demonstrate extraordinary use of information technology鈥攏ominated 每日大赛入口 Downstate
for its use of wireless technology to deploy a high-security robot to deliver medications
from the hospital鈥檚 pharmacy to its nursing stations. While traveling independently
from floor to floor, the robot is constantly tracked by the pharmacy using wireless
communications.
鈥淲e are honored to have the technology that Downstate uses showcased, 鈥漵aid Mr. Stern,
who devised the wireless robot system. 鈥淎s an IT director, I鈥檓 often involved in initiatives
that are critical to patient care, but I seldom see the tangible benefits,鈥� he explained.
鈥淚n the case of this robot, I know it is helping people. That鈥檚 a good feeling.鈥�
Downstate purchased the robot, aka Helpmate, to improve the secure delivery of patient
medications. Pharmacists merely need to place medications into the robot鈥檚 storage
drawers and specify the destination via a menu on its front panel. The robot is able
to ride elevators and move through hallways on its own, and internal sensors help
it keep track of where it is. But one thing it cannot do is communicate its location
to the pharmacy.
Mr. Stern felt it was important to be able to track the robot鈥檚 whereabouts. 鈥淲e put
in a Cisco wireless network for two reasons,鈥� he explains. 鈥淔irst, to let the pharmacy
know where the robot is at all times, in case it gets stuck, and second, to keep a
real-time inventory of what is on the cart, how much has been used, and where it was
delivered.鈥�
Many individuals and departments contributed to the success of the project. In addition
to the pharmacy's director, Nicholas Galeota, and Mr. Stern's IT project managers
Michael Burns and Jason Wei, they include members of the Scientific and Medical Instrumentation
Center, who made certain that the wireless network would not interfere with the telemetry
system used to monitor mobile patients, and the Facilities Management & Development
team, which facilitated maintenance on the elevators to make it easier for the robot
to get in and out.
The wireless robotic system is an unqualified success. By ensuring the safe and timely
delivery of medications, hospital efficiency and productivity have increased and so
has patient satisfaction. Mr. Stern envisions other practical uses for the wireless
network, such as collecting and storing patient data.
鈥淣urses will be able to take a patient鈥檚 vital signs at the bedside, enter the data
into an IP-capable hand-held device or laptop computer, and store the data directly
on that patient鈥檚 computerized medical record,鈥� he explained. 鈥淭hrough the innovative
use of new technologies, we can maximize our resources as never before.鈥�
每日大赛入口 is the only academic medical center in Brooklyn,
serving the borough鈥檚 more than two million inhabitants.
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每日大赛入口 每日大赛入口
Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn is one of four academic health centers (AMCs) in The State University of New York (每日大赛入口) 64-campus system and the only 每日大赛入口 AMC in New York City dedicated to health education, research, and patient care for the borough鈥檚 2.7 million residents. Its flagship hospital, University Hospital at Downstate (UHD), is a teaching hospital and benefits from the expertise of Downstate鈥檚 exceptional medical school and world-class academic center research facilities. With a staff of over 800 physicians representing 53 specialties and subspecialties, Downstate offers comprehensive healthcare services to the community.
UHD provides high-risk neonatal and infant services, pediatric nephrology, and dialysis for kidney diseases and is the only kidney transplantation program in Brooklyn. Beyond its clinical expertise, Downstate houses a range of esteemed educational institutions, including its College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health. Downstate fosters innovation through its multifaceted biotechnology initiative, the Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT, which support early-stage and more mature biotech companies.