Have you seen a robot helping someone walk? Have you seen them feeding a patient? Did you know many surgeries are assisted by robotics?
Every one of these jobs can be done by robots, especially in larger cities with more modern hospitals.
Healthcare delivery is rapidly changing from one that is solely driven by humans. Now, it includes assistance from smart technology. Clients can communicate with medical professionals using robots, as well as other routine tasks.
This technology is starting to spread to many healthcare offices, whether it’s for convenience or to assist with staffing needs. Let’s read on to see how it could affect you on your next doctor visit!
Robotic Prescription Distribution
The process of medication distribution used to only get completed by humans. However, this is now changing in the face of smart robots.
Digitally transferred information is sent to the pharmacy, where robots use special software to mix the requested prescriptions. These are then packaged and distributed based on special instructions for each prescription.
How many staff could focus on other aspects of healthcare if they could rely on medical software to handle this task? Of course, human oversight is necessary to make sure the technology continues to work properly.
However, these robots are fully programmed to follow electronic prescriptions rules. This helps control the inventory of medications on hand, and also the timing in which each of them gets filled.
Healthcare Delivery with Reduced Staff
In some areas of healthcare, there is a serious need for more staff. Because the healthcare industry suffers from severe shortages, patients experience long delays. They may wait several days for routine answers.
Instead of making patients wait, they can communicate with robots. They get connected to doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and any other healthcare personnel who request to be part of these services. This makes it easier to get the help they need in a timely manner.
Robots for Rehab
Depending on the type of injury some patients suffer, robots can possibly help them recover full use of their limbs. These wearable robots attach to various parts of the body to assist with exercise.
It helps the patient gain back movement and flexibility. Some of these rehab robots have the job of transporting patients who aren’t mobile. They can lift, move and steady patients who aren’t able to do this on their own.
If properly equipped, they can even analyze the patient to determine their likelihood of future falls.
Surgery with Robot Hands
One of the issues with human surgeons is the potential for injury and mistakes due to lack of hand control. A surgery robot can complete this work and never lose control of the electronic arm.
They are flexible and fit into tiny spaces–places that a human hand may not be able to go without damaging additional tissue and muscle. Since robots cause less damage on the way in, the recovery time and incision size are also reduced.
In turn, there is less of a chance of infection that can cause irreparable harm once the surgery is complete.
Food and Medication Delivery
One of the simplest tasks in a healthcare setting is often one of the most difficult. Time constraints give nurses a stressful workload.
These professionals are expected to dispense medication, handle meals, and make sure it’s all done in a timely manner. Robots can assist by delivering both food and medication on a pre-programmed schedule.
If this can free up a nurse to handle an emergency situation, it’s a great benefit to a hospital or healthcare setting. These smart technology robots work at such a high level of efficiency that they only require a small amount of human assistance.
For example, if something causes them to fall over or they run into an object, a human will have to set them back on track. Once they’re back upright though, they’re ready to move on to the next patient.
The Price of Robotic Healthcare
Of course, one of the downsides of this technology is that it’s still extremely expensive. A clinic or hospital must weigh the benefits of having a robot like this on staff versus the cost of repair and regular maintenance.
Software upgrades and firmware upgrades are always part of the package. They need to compare the perceived patient value to how much money is available in the budget.
There may also be grant funds available to pay for this purchase. If individuals are investing in the facility’s future, it’s wise to purchase more modern healthcare tools with those funds.
If the cost is justified, they will likely see an improvement in how overall healthcare ratings increase in their facility.
Patients’ Comfort with Robot Healthcare
Healthcare delivery by robots is an uncomfortable thought for some people. They worry the technology will break down or make a mistake without human oversight.
They worry it’s unreliable and can’t make split-second decisions when circumstances warrant such a need. They feel like the care they receive is impersonal if it’s not done with a human touch.
All these perceptions are changing as more clients and patients have interactions with robots. They understand the value of time and care done on a precision basis.
Their frustration levels reduce after an experience like this. They are more likely to have patience during a face-to-face conversation with a healthcare professional.
There will always be a need for human oversight, but if individuals have reduced waiting times to receive necessary medical care, they are more likely to accept an electronic substitute. As these tools arrive in more settings, the mindsets of the healthcare professionals and patients are changing.
Update Your Office Technology
If you’d like to see how your office or clinic benefit from such equipment, check out our site for more information! Our healthcare delivery professionals are ready and waiting to answer your questions.
They want to help you understand the possible benefits. Let’s use this information to show the world that robotics can make healthcare more efficient, more convenient, and more accessible.
