Types and Uses of Health Care Robots
Health Care Information Systems
HCS 483
September 08, 2013
Types and Uses of Health Care Robots
Health care robots are exciting advancements in health care delivery by providers. The future of robots in health is promising and the different types of robots are growing. Using robots helps the providers give better care to their patients and using robots behind the scenes for more accurate delivery of care as well. Surgical robots
The da Vinci is currently the most known surgical robot. It is the only surgical robot available for commercial use. The da Vinci robot is in use for gynecological, prostate, and cardiac surgeries. The da Vinci allows the surgeon to work from a computerized workstation across the room from where the patient is prepped on the operating table. The surgeon maneuvers the robotic arms to perform the surgeries. Using the da Vinci eliminates the natural hand tremor that surgeons have through the software in the computer system created specifically for that function.
“’Penelope’ has been developed at Columbia University by general surgeon Dr. Michael Treat with funding from the US Army’s Telemedicine and Technology Research Center, in Fort Detrick, MD” (Schimpff, 2013, p. 1).
Penelope is not currently in use but is a promising robot on the health care horizon. Dr. Michael Treat created Penelope to replace the current surgical assistant that hands the surgeon instruments during surgery. Penelope is equipped with electromagnetic grippers that allows for picking up the instruments the surgeon needs. Penelope arranges the instruments for the procedure, recognizes voice commands, and verbally can respond back to the surgeon. Pharmacy robots
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Pharmacy robots currently are in use for dispensing medications. The uses are beneficial to the entire hospital staff by reducing medication errors, orders are entered in by the physicians using computerized physician order entry (CPOE), and charging the cost of the medication to the patients account. The ROBOT-RX is currently in use in 34 states around the country. “The ROBOT-Rx® automated medication dispensing system prevents medication errors, reduces pharmacy labor, and lowers drug inventory. The hospital pharmacy robot automates medication storage, selection, return, restock, and crediting functions for 90 percent or more of a hospital’s daily medication volume” (“ROBOT-RX,” 2013, p. 1).
Telemedicine robots
Remote Presence Virtual + Independent Telemedicine Assistant (RP-VITA) is used to assist physicians who are not on-site when a critical patient is admitted to the hospital. The robot is used to connect the off-site physician to the bedside of the patient to assess the patient and give orders to the staff for tests and medications needed for immediate care. Especially useful in the immediate care of stroke patients in the emergency department when time is crucial for the delivery of medicines. If the physician is off-site or across the hospital helping other patients, the RP-VITA allows for faster face-to-face response between the physician and the patient. References
Improves patient safety and process efficiency with robotic medication dispensing. (2013).
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Retrieved from http://www.mckesson.com/pharmacies/hospital-and-health-system/inpatient/pharmacy-automation/robot-rx/ Schimpff, S. C. (2013).
Robotics can revolutionize the delivery of medical care. Retrieved from http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2012/01/robotics-revolutionize-delivery-medical-care.html
