Abstract
Introduction
The complex nature and difficulties inherent in the traditional health-care system can pose significant challenges for patients attempting to navigate it effectively.[1] Thus, there is a compelling need for substantial systemic changes aimed at directly addressing these issues. Recognizing this need is numerous health-care organizations which have started leveraging cutting edge Information and Communications Technologies-such as Electronic health records (EHRs), Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Telemedicine-that enable comprehensive patient-centric approaches with improved quality care resulting in much better patient outcomes.[2] These transformations have led to SMART hospitals emerging as powerful solutions that facilitate addressing intricacies experienced within our post-COVID-19 era effectively.[3] A visual model is depicted in Figure 1.
Image depicting healthcare’s impending future, where the traditional health-care model will undergo digital transformation and give way to smart hospitals for unprecedented patient care
Verified market research conducted a study estimating that global demand for smart hospital technology would see a remarkable growth rate during the forecast period-about 23.1% CAGR-eventually reaching an estimated value of USD 240.12 Billion by the year 2030 primarily because of escalating customer demand for smart devices.[4] This explosive uptake only highlights the transformative potential SMART hospitals hold as they usher in a new era of health-care delivery. A visual representation of the projected growth in smart hospital technology demand is provided in Figure 2.
Graph illustrates the projected growth trajectory of smart hospital technology demand on a global scale
Overview of India’s Traditional Health-care System
India still primarily relies on hospitals, clinics, and different health facilities to provide medical services to its inpatients through its traditional health-care system. However, many health-care organizations continue to maintain paper-based medical records which make it difficult for providers of medical services across facilities to interconnect effectively.[5]
The use of EHR systems has become commonplace among Canadians with over 91% using them for recording medical data at work in 2015; however, India’s adoption rate lags behind with only a small number of premier medical organizations utilizing digital solutions despite its need. It has become vital for Indian medical facilities to integrate similar technologies to broaden interconnectivity in the health-care system.[6]
Challenges Faced by the Traditional Health-care System in India
Indian traditional health-care systems face numerous challenges emphasizing the necessity of efficient and technologically advanced medical facilities like smart hospitals. Inefficient workflows lead to overcrowding where long waiting periods often result in delayed treatments, poor patient experiences, and even patient elopement.[7]
Moreover, India’s traditional hospital evaluation procedures lack real-time monitoring compared with western hospitals that continually monitor patients’ conditions making their adoption paramount in India as well.[8]
Lack of automation such as failing to include a call bell for emergency assistance makes it challenging for patients and families while also creating delays. The Indian traditional medical system also struggles with errors leading to prescription oversights that can result in morbidity or mortality among patients. Such errors often happen because record keeping relies predominantly on manual data entry and paper-based diagnostic tests causing miscommunication which constitutes nearly around 70% of medication errors.[9]
Energy inefficiencies are widely observed even today among most Indian hospitals whereby temperature needs or lighting equipment are manually managed by staff resulting in overburdening the staff through extra labor while also being energy inefficient.[10]
These factors demand addressing ineptitudes that continue within the existing health-care infrastructure within India necessitating technology-based innovative solutions such as smart hospitals for enhanced efficiency and improved patient experience.
The Need for Smart Hospitals
Smart hospitals have emerged as a promising solution to the ongoing challenges faced by patients and health-care providers. A few critical aspects driving this revolution include:
Improving patient experience: The Indian National Health Policy of 2017 emphasizes the importance of a patient-focused primary health-care model.[11] Smart hospitals can employ cutting-edge technology to create a patient-centric approach to care that enhances the overall experience while also reducing the burden on health-care professionals. Reducing medical errors: According to research published in the Emphasizing value-based care: With easy access to medical information patients are becoming more informed and seeking better quality care with personalized treatment approaches. The use of digital technologies such as telemedicine and EHRs automation can reduce treatment costs while enhancing health outcomes for patients.
Apollo Hospitals Case Study
Recognizing the need for improved patient experience and hospital efficiency, Apollo Hospitals embraced digital transformation and smart technologies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This case study examines the successful implementation of various initiatives, including the My Apollo App, Apollo 24/7 app, SMART Beds and the use of smart devices for both clinical and nonclinical purposes.
The Apollo 24/7 platform – This digital platform facilitates teleconsultations along with homecare services across diagnostics pharmacy wellness services helping access more than 10,000 specialists easily through either its website or mobile app. Figure 3 vividly illustrates the seamless accessibility facilitated by the Apollo 24/7 digital platform.
Smart scheduling feature – This feature integrated into the Apollo 24/7 app makes it easy for patients to register online or have their appointments scheduled quickly so they can consult doctors while also accessing records online.
Online consulting through AI chatbots – By deploying advanced AI chatbots integrated with their digital platforms patients can analyze their symptoms while consulting doctors online. Apollo hospitals offer patients flexible communication options such as voice/video calls, chats or messaging enabling them access on-demand medical advice from doctors anytime they require it
Investigation scheduler – The investigation scheduler aids patients pre-book medical examination appointments thus saving valuable time otherwise wasted waiting around. By opting for either home collection or visitation there is flexibility for testing so that it suits the patient’s needs.
Smart bed – From hospital admission to discharge, patients need to be comfortable while they are being monitored for their well-being and safety. Smart bed technology enables remote monitoring of essential health parameters thus enabling quick nursing intervention in emergency situations.
My Apollo App – Housekeeping and nutrition services can be ordered right from a patient’s My Apollo App installed on their personal device which ultimately reduces waiting times whilst improving service standard.
Digital visitor pass – Digital visitor passes help reduce backlogs at entrance amid rising footfall enabling faster flow, thereby reducing overall patient wait times moreover digitalized medical records are shared securely between physicians resulting in better-informed treatment choices.
Smart monitoring – The smart vital monitoring machine is another technological upgrade that provides accurate and reliable results without any manual errors. Figure 4 depicts hospital staff actively participating in educational trainings around smart monitoring devices.
Smart devices – Alexa in hospital rooms is one of the latest additions aimed at easing patients such as adjusting curtains, turning on lights, and music playing from voice. Furthermore, medication reminders help sustain the consistency required during recovery. Assisting individuals in taking control over their well-being while simultaneously enhancing their hospital experience is essential for Apollo Hospitals’ success thus Alexa’s technology was implemented increasing an individual’s empowerment while positively impacting satisfaction rates. In addition, incorporating smart screens into patients’ rooms increases a patient’s desire to engage in caregiving routines by keeping them updated regularly on vitals status and other metrics offering a personalized approach, enhancing their overall hospital experience. Figure 5 visually depicts integration of smart devices in patient rooms.
Patient communication app – Patient Communication App allows access to appointment scheduling, medication reminders, digital passes, and discharge instructions promoting informed decision-making and improved communication of health-care staff with patients’ families.
Home health assistance – Furthermore, Apollo Hospitals offer home health assistance services including wound management care, skilled nursing care, physiotherapy, and medication management benefitting patients seeking recovery goals. This unique service also allows individuals to track progress while speaking directly with their care team promoting personalized support.
Showcases Apollo 24/7 digital platform enabling easy access
Showcases hospital staff being educated about smart monitoring devices
Provides a visual representation of Alexa’s integration in patient rooms
Impact
Apollo Hospital’s implementation of smart tech has positively influenced patient’s satisfaction rates due to enhanced quality of care offered through advanced technology. Figure 6 is a graphical representation of the improvement in patient satisfaction rates.
Graph illustrating a significant improvement in patient satisfaction rates
Improved patient experience: The adoption of smart technologies has improved the quality of care and greatly enhanced patient experience. Patient families feel more involved in the treatment, and the patient satisfaction score has improved by 25% due to smart transformation.
Improved diagnostics: There have been several instances when smart vitals monitoring machines have helped detect and prevent code blue scenarios. The improved diagnostics tools have also helped save lives and improve outcomes.
Optimized workflows: Various administrative tasks such as patient registration, appointment scheduling, service requests, and record management have been streamlined using automation. These optimized workflows are responsible for a reduction in errors, delays, and costs.
Data analytics: Using smart technologies Apollo Hospitals have been able to collect and analyze huge amounts of biometric data from the patients, such as vital signs, blood tests, and imaging studies. The data analytics have helped improve clinical decision-making and coordination of care.[13]
Conclusion
Apollo Hospitals’ pioneering efforts in introducing digital initiatives coupled with technology integration exemplify the potential of modernization, which can significantly improve patient welfare through superior quality treatment and support system while enabling streamlined internal processes.
Driving aggressively toward smart hospitals is a compelling response to India’s current challenges. Health-care providers that pursue developing cutting-edge technologies looking beyond legacy models can ensure innovation value creation that ultimately leads to improved patient outcomes at decreased costs per treatment prevalence with greater operational efficiency throughout the entire value chain.
It remains a unique opportunity explicitly tailored to serve all stakeholders within our evolving society, leading us into a brighter and healthier future keeping patients’ interest paramount across socioeconomic spectrums.
Footnotes
Declaration of Conflicting Interests
The author declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The authors are employed with Apollo Hospitals Group.
Funding
The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Institutional Ethical Committee Approval Number
Not applicable.
CRediT Author Statement
Conceptualization: Gaurav Loria, Yogamaya Nayak Methodology: Gaurav Loria, Yogamaya Nayak Data curation: Gaurav Loria, Yogamaya Nayak, Nishant Nishit Formal analysis: Gaurav Loria, Yogamaya Nayak Writing-Original Draft Preparation: Gaurav Loria, Yogamaya Nayak, Nishant Nishit Writing-Review and Editing: Gaurav Loria, Yogamaya Nayak, Nishant Nishit Visualization: Gaurav Loria, Yogamaya Nayak Supervision: Gaurav Loria, Yogamaya Nayak.
Data Availability
The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
Not applicable.