The company has launched its "hospital of tomorrow" idea, in which a future hospital will extend to the patient's home. The strength is in the ability of care providers and consumers to access appropriate medical data any time.

It has now transformed this idea into reality at its InnoHub, at its head office in Singapore, which has been in operation since last year with an investment of US$90 million (Bt3.6billion). It plays the key role of integration agent, bringing different groups together to help realise the "Healthcare Anywhere" vision.

The demonstration centre shows six ideas for the future hospital.

First, if a patient suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, his family can provide primary care with the HeartStart Defibrillator, a small, compact device used to analyse a person's heart rhythm for any abnormalities and, if necessary, direct the user to deliver an electric shock to the victim.

"People with minimum training can use it as it is simple to operate. It recognises heart rhythms automatically and uses a clear and natural voice to guide the user through each step," said Kil.

More than 275,000 such devices have been delivered around the world.

Second, when patients have to spend several days in a hospital bed, they need not neglect their work assignments. This is thanks to the Bedside Companion, an application designed to assist the patient confined to a hospital bed to keep in touch with the outside world; both for work and personal entertainment.

Meanwhile, the doctor can also monitor his patient's status simply by swiping a card on the Bedside Companion screen to accurately access the patient's healthcare information and treatment record wirelessly.

"Without carrying the patient's ward card, doctors can maintain as well as record the different stages of their patients electronically and wirelessly," said Kil.

The device itself also plays a key role as an information centre for a patient. It allows a patient to use the Internet, check their e-mails, videoconference with their family or team, or report or follow up assignments with their office. All these applications can be used at this one-stop information centre provided right at the hospital bed.

Third, if a doctor is away from the hospital, he can also use the "Mobile Physician" to keep in touch and monitor the patient. Mobile Physician allows a doctor to access the electronic medical records of patients remotely as well as conduct videoconference calls with patients.

"Patients are now able to contact their own doctors for prompt advice pertaining to their illness or for any instant diagnosis of their health status to keep track of their recovery progress," said Kil.

Fourth, with Xcelera Cardiology Information it will be possible for doctors to quickly access more information wherever and whenever they are, from diagnosis through to treatment. They can have access to a patient's X-rays, test results and reports quickly. They can also track a patient's progress by interfacing and organising their electronic medical records through the system.

Fifth is the Motiva System, a television-based platform that patients can use with their television via a broadband connection to link with their healthcare organisation to receive personalised interactions and access content. Motiva enables clinicians to continuously track each patient's level of knowledge, motivation, and confidence to meet specific health goals related to his or her condition.

"Patients only need to operate a few buttons on a Motiva remote control, while the secure broadband connection and set-top box installed at admission make the connection work," said Kil.

The last is called Near Field Communication and it can be attached to a patient's medication to indicate to them the type and dosage, or even serve as a reminder to take the medicines.

Patients can save time and effort by registering for consultation in a hospital, for prognosis and diagnosis. It is akin to a contact-less smart card which both doctors and patients alike can employ with ease to access or retrieve electronic medical information and records, as well as for patients to pay their bills electronically. 

Asina Pornwasin

The Nation

Singapore