Mobile Robots at the Clinical Diagnostic Department - A Potential Analysis

- THE PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED -  

In the Region of Southern Denmark, robot solutions are already supporting operations at several hospitals, performing tasks such as transporting blood samples, food, and used tableware. This project aims to investigate how similar mechanisms could be applied at Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital.

Purpose  

The purpose of the project is to assess the potential for implementing mobile robots (AGVs - Automated Guided Vehicles or AMRs - Automated Mobile Robots) to assist and support logistical tasks at the Clinical Diagnostic Department in Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital.

Objectives

• Clarification of the potential for using mobile robots at the Clinical Diagnostic Department in Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital.
• Development of effective and cohesive workflows.
• Benefits for staff, such as reducing walking time, which allows staff to focus on more critical tasks and reduces physical strain.

Deliverables

• Overall project coordination
• Facilitation of workshops on August 26, 2020, to identify task areas suitable for mobile robot implementation, including design, planning, execution, and documentation.
• Assessment of prerequisites, IT and building interfaces, workflows, and logistical flows within potential task areas through interviews and observations.
• Development of two concrete use cases with corresponding initial business cases.   
• Reporting and communication of results.

The use cases, along with the initial business cases, demonstrate the potential of mobile robots in the identified areas by outlining prerequisites, requirements, and operational needs for future implementation.

The material is expected to be used as a basis for future decisions, including the selection of future tests with mobile robots at the Clinical Diagnostic Department.

Partners

• Project owner: Brian Faurskov, Clinical Diagnostic Department at Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital.
• Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark

Funding

The project is financed by 370 base hours out of Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital’s 1000 annual base hours. These are hours allocated per hospital unit in the Region of Southern Denmark to utilize the innovation competencies of Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark.

Project Duration

The project was conducted from June 2020 - October 2020.