Electronics giant Samsung discussed innovations in robotics and wearable devices as key technologies for delivering personalised care.
In the HIMSS24 APAC keynote, “Smart Hospital Revolution: Redefining Patient Care with Technology,” Samsung Medical Centre CIO, Dr Won-Chul Cha, and Dr Hon Pak, SVP and head of Digital Health at Samsung Electronics, discussed the importance of technological integration in healthcare.
Dr Cha likened a smart hospital digital system to a human organism, hosting circuities and neurological networks that integrate.
“Our robotics technology is a good example. It communicates to information systems in the building that opens hospital doors and interacts with medical supply systems that are further connected to EMR systems,” he explained.
Integrated technologies, for example, can facilitate risk identification, pattern detection, and personalised care, he said.
“Samsung partnered with the University of Iowa to develop a medical recovery model based on device wearables. We could take a user’s resting heart rates, sleep stages, and more to create an ‘energy score’ for them. Based on the scores, we provided personalised coaching for users to maximise wellness,” Dr Pak added.
Integrated devices can also digitally bridge at-home users with timely medical interventions.
“Unsuspecting individuals can be alerted to sleep apnoea, which has implications for cardiovascular risks. Once alerted, they can be redirected to doctors. As a doctor, if I can observe a patient’s daily context such as their heart history or blood sugar, then we can make the [personalised care] experience seamless,” Dr Pak stated.
In emergency decision-making, round-the-clock health monitoring is also crucial, Dr Cha emphasised.
“I have had emergency patients complain about heart palpitations, but they could not differentiate between anxiety and other possible conditions at that moment. With a good monitoring system, doctors won’t even need to ask [for patient details] to make the right decisions.”
Dr Pak expressed confidence that patients could experience an adaptable digital front door in the coming years, regardless of their medical wearables. Instant symptom checks and wellness measurements would be a hallmark.
“Healthcare is a team sport. By providing doctors with more intelligent information, we can streamline the digital process and create a stronger connection with patients and enhance their experience.”