Dr. Niwat Intrawichian, Deputy Director of Bangkok Hospital, revealed that due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), Bangkok Hospital has applied medical innovations to the care and service of at-risk patients to prevent the spread of the virus by reducing direct contact with patients through “HealthyBot”, which will serve patients instead of hospital personnel in delivering medicines, food, drinking water, and other items to patients in quarantine and infection-controlled areas, thereby reducing the risk of outbreaks.
Bangkok Hospital and National Healthcare Systems Co., Ltd. or nHealth, a provider of medical and hospital business support services, have jointly advanced the technology for HealthyBot, which was originally used to transport drugs to various departments within the hospital. They developed a telemedicine system to enhance communication with patients through a monitor installed on the robot, which is controlled by an internet connection, allowing medical personnel and patients’ relatives to communicate through the monitor, easing concerns and increasing patients’ confidence throughout their treatment.
In terms of screening measures for high-risk patients, Dr. Somjin Tanapang, Director of Bangkok Hospital’s Emergency Department, reported that every registration point screens every patient by asking about their travel history, fever symptoms, and respiratory system symptoms to direct high-risk patients to specially arranged service areas with controlled air circulation. Staff will take body temperature and assess according to the guidelines of the Department of Disease Control. If patients are at risk of infection, they will be tested for the virus from secretions and cared for in a special area while awaiting results. Apart from medical care by healthcare personnel, we also use HealthyBot to provide other services to reduce contact with patients at various stages.
Furthermore, the air circulation system within the hospital is controlled and regularly inspected according to standards to ensure the safety of all patients visiting the hospital.
