From the July 2017 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
Exoskeletons are robotic devices that help paralyzed people walk, and with the rehabilitation of stroke or spinal cord injury patients. They can enhance strength in order to allow a nurse to lift an elderly patient. While they have many exciting uses, it’s important to remember that currently they are costly to make and power, so at least at first they will not be available for everyone. Although, in some cases, insurance companies had to cover the costs. Because of this, it has the potential to deepen already existing social and economic inequalities. Decision-makers have to lay the groundwork to regulate the use of such devices. They will have to stay up to date on their capabilities to prevent misuse.
The great thing about robots is that they can be built to be so durable that they can overtake tasks that for humans would be simply too dangerous.
Disinfectant robots can be very useful in health care operations today. Hospital acquired infections are among the leading causes of death in the U.S. According to the CDC, one in every 25 patients will contract an infection from a hospital, costing more than $30 billion a year.
Disinfectant robots use high intensity ultraviolet light to disinfect any space in a health care facility quickly and efficiently. They are more effective in causing cellular damage to microorganisms than other devices designed for disinfection. They reduce the number of hospital acquired infections.
It’s yet another example of how robotics in health care helps hospital staff to decrease the workload and will lead to a much friendlier environment.
About the author: Bipin Thomas is a renowned thought leader on consumer-centric health care transformation. Thomas is a board member of HealthCare Business News magazine and strategic advisor to HealthTap. Thomas is a senior executive at Flex, where he is leading business innovation by enabling intelligent products and connecting stakeholders across industries. Thomas is a former senior executive at Accenture and UST Global, where he implemented strategic digital initiatives across the care continuum.Back to HCB News
