A fully automated inpatient transport system

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The transport of the inpatients to and from locations inside the hospital can vary in complexity depending on the patient location, status, and logistical needs. Most transport systems have not developed at the same speed as other medically related technologies. We conducted a pilot study of a new automated transport system for patients within the hospital. METHODS: Our innovative system was introduced in January 2020. We present a retrospective case review of all in-patient transport request during April 15, 2020 through May 30, 2020 at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. The system is fully automated and works via smartphone and electronic medical record integration. Transfer requests are processed on the basis of priority, proximity, and availably. RESULTS: During the study period there were 15, 581 transfer requests. Mean times to hospital destinations ranged from 9:25 to 28:02 minutes. Overall, mean times were quicker for emergency and surgical services. Trip times by priority code were likely influence by unmeasured confounders. There were no reported patient identification adverse events. Peak requests occurred during 0900-1500, and at the beginning of the week. CONCLUSION: Our automated in-patient transfer system appears to be efficient, safe, well received, and capable of servicing our large tertiary care medical center. Future controlled studies are needed to assess efficacy, adverse events, and clinical outcomes.