Clinics are facing the digitization revolution. But what does this implicate for patients, doctors and nurses?
Employees benefit from artificial intelligence not only in operating rooms but the potential outside is also even greater, in terms of care activities. In view of the dramatic shortage of skilled workers there, any technology that takes the pressure off the staff is welcome. When caring for people with dementia, residents sometimes leave the building at night, so a caregiver must always be careful at night.
Cooperating with the “Bruderhaus-Diakonie” in Reutlingen and the “GGG m.b.H.” and “Intenta GmbH” from Chemnitz, Professor Matthias Rätsch from the Faculty of Technology of Reutlingen University is developing the nightwatchman ValAIntin. This recognizes faces even in the dark using artificial intelligence. ValAIntin is activated on the tablet when a person wants to go to the front door, addresses them by name and engages them in a conversation. For example, he suggests to play a card game together and asks whether a nurse should be informed.
In cooperation with the “Charité” in Berlin, Rätsch is investigating the acceptance of such a system. “The nurses think it’s cool because it gives them more time for the residents.” Residents find the system more comfortable than an alarm bracelet. However, Rätsch emphasizes that this system should in no way be misused to save nursing staff but should only serve as support.
With the Dresden University of Technology and Economics, the University of Reutlingen is developing an integration of the night watchman into a mobile robot that can do everyday things and thus relieve the nursing staff. For example, it can regularly remind seniors to drink enough water.
The project ValAIntin (funding number KK5007201LB0) is funded by “Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie” (the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy) as part of the “Zentralen Innovationsprogramms Mittelstand ” (Central Innovation Program, ZIM)