Where does Artificial Intelligence Fit in Health Care?

Robots and artificial intellifence are the future, but where do they fit in healthcare?
 
Sarah Falcone of nurse.org explains how robots are changing healthcare this year. According to InsightAce Analytic, the worldwide robotic nurse industry is expected to grow 17% by 2031. According to Healthcare Dive, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized 91 AI medical devices last year.
 
In Japan, robots have been prominent in healthcare for several years, and similar technology is finally being seen in the USA. Falcone discusses 6 robots that are being used in healthcare situations. They include:

• Moxi can be found in two medical facilities in Texas. Moxi has many features that allows it to adapt to its surroundings. Most notably, Moxi can greet patients, complete non-patient tasks, and roam healthcare facilities.
• TUG can be found in 37 VA hospitals across the USA. TUG is a robotic cart that transports medication, lab samples, and surgical supplies.
• Robot Pepper can be found in healthcare facilities worldwide. Pepper can guide patients, give directions, provide emotional support, and answer basic questions.
• Robot Paro can provide comfort, direct group entertainment programs, and have simple conversations with patients.
• Robot Nurse Bear can transfer patients to a wheelchair, carry patients, turn patients in bed, and lift a patient from a standing position or from the floor. 

 
Although robots have proven to be helpful, it is important to remember that robots are not meant to replace human caregivers, but rather support them. Nurses and other human practitioners in the healthcare field will continue making clinical judgements and provide compassionate care. 
 
However, robots can support those healthcare workers in doing their job and increase efficiency by performing the simple, time consuming, and routine tasks. Developments in AI can also fulfill unmet needs in nursing homes. By taking tasks off healthcare workers’ hands, robots allow them to have more time to provide direct patient care, resulting in better treatment and better patient outcomes. All of which will reduce the number of staff required. 
 
“Familiarity with robotic systems will help healthcare workers to effectively collaborate with these technologies, maximizing their benefits and solving potential problems,” says Falcone.
 
What other benefits do robots provide in the healthcare setting? Some include:

• Detect falls
• Predict patient decline
• Provide real-time alerts for nurses
• Reduce the danger of transmission of infection
• Maintain a safer environment by cleaning and disinfecting
• Reduce the possibility of errors in medicine delivery and dosage calculations

 
AI will continue to expand in healthcare and will eventually spread to care in homes as well. 
​If you have any questions about home care for your loved ones, you can contact us. You can also check out the rest of our blog posts on our website.

Written by Madison Chalmers

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik