Authors (including presenting author) :
Cheung YH(1), Chu KW(1), Yuen WT(1), Wong HL(1), Kwok Y(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Medicine, Haven of Hope Hospital
Introduction :
The use of assistant robots in healthcare is increasing, aimed at optimizing workflows and enhancing patient care. This transformation is reshaping the healthcare landscape by improving efficiency, patient outcomes, and overall satisfaction. At Haven of Hope Hospital, the “TEMI-Go” program was launched, deploying an assistant robot to perform various tasks in the orthopedic rehabilitation ward, thereby boosting operational efficiency and improving patient care through multiple approaches.
Objectives :
1)To enhance staff efficiency by utilizing TEMI to support nurses with designated tasks. 2) To improve patient care by providing patients and visitors with better access to information during their hospital stay through TEMI’s resource capabilities.
Methodology :
A task force was established to oversee the implementation of TEMI. The robot was assigned several key responsibilities to support clinical care, such as: (1) a prompting mechanism to deliver reminders for scheduled tasks near the nursing station, thereby minimizing delays; (2) a search engine to quickly locate forms, effectively reducing search times and improving staff efficiency; (3) a kiosk to provide patients and families with access to online resources for specialized orthopedic information. (4) a guiding orientation for new nursing staff and trainee physicians to support their acclimatization to the ward environment; (5) offering music therapy or visual distractions to cognitively impaired patients, contributing to patient-centered care; (6) spiritual support to patients by greeting them with encouraging words, fostering a positive mindset and enhancing their willingness to participate in rehabilitation exercises, (7) promoting fall prevention by performing regular ward patrols, particularly during periods of reducing nursing manpower, such as night shifts; (8) Educating newly admitted patients and their families on ward routines and hospital policies to ensure informed transitions into care; (9) Delivering items between patients and relatives after visiting hours to reduce staff workload associated with item logistic and; (10) web-based virtual visits through platforms such as ZOOM, enabling connection between patients and their visitors.
Result & Outcome :
An online feedback mechanism using Google Forms was established to collect staff insights three months’ post-implementation, focusing on workflow improvements and program optimization. Feedback from 21 nursing staff indicated a positive evaluation of the TEMI-Go program. All 21 staff rated TEMI's effectiveness in enhancing operational efficiency favorably, with 17 (81%) rating it a 4 and 4(19%) a 5 on a 5-point Likert scale. Additionally, 21 (100%) acknowledged TEMI's role in improving patient care, with 3 (14%) rating it a 4 and 18 (86%) a 5. All agreed that the TEMI-Go program positively contributed to overall ward operations, with the "Prompting Mechanism" identified as the most beneficial feature.
