Robot Added to Emerson Hospital Staff

This spring, patients, visitors, and employees will see the newest member of Emerson Hospital's staff whizzing down the hallway, delivering medication to clinical teams. It's all part of an average workday for the robot.

The robot's arrival will streamline drug delivery and complement Emerson's pharmacy team, traveling throughout the hospital delivering medication to patient care units. Pharmacy staff spent the past few months programming the robot, which will have access to all units in the hospital as well as some supply rooms and the medical records department.

How does it work?
Available 24/7, the robot uses sonar and radar to navigate, which allows it to detect obstacles (such as beds, doors, IV poles, and people) in its path. When it senses an object, it slows and then stops. After a brief wait, it announces "waiting to proceed" and then moves around the person or object.

With precise control and hauling power up to 500 pounds, the robot is dispatched by an easy-to-use interface from a touch-screen located in the pharmacy department, allowing tracking of the robot at all times. "Stop" and "go" buttons mounted on the cart allow the receiver to operate the robot.

It can be reprogrammed en route if drug delivery has been reprioritized or a medication is needed somewhere imminently. In the event that the robot gets stuck somewhere, there is around-the-clock support from the vendor, which can use a joystick to navigate it. When not in use, the robot will dock itself into a recharge area at its home base in the pharmacy department.

An average day at Emerson
Once it leaves the pharmacy, the robot wirelessly sends a radio signal to the elevator (there will be one elevator dedicated to its use). When the doors open, the robot signals which floor(s) it needs to access, and it has exclusive use of the elevator until it reaches its destination. If it is dispatched to a controlled unit, such as North 5, it will send radio signals to the nursing station so staff know it is there. Similarly, on busy floors like the emergency department or operating suite, it will remain away from foot traffic outside of the unit.

The first of its kind at Emerson, the robot will use voice commands to alert nursing staff to the time allotted for them to access the drugs. Security is guaranteed; electronic locks limit access to authorized staff, and the robot will not carry any controlled substances.

For the first few days of its implementation, the robot, wearing an Emerson badge, will be accompanied by pharmacy staff as it makes its rounds throughout the hospital in order to ensure a seamless transition. It will also have a sign on top of it for the first few months, educating anyone who sees it about its uses and functionality.

The future of Emerson
The addition of the robot is yet another example of Emerson's technology adoption. "It will expedite drug delivery and increase productivity," said Bob Moura, director of the pharmacy. "This allows Emerson to reinvent the way we deliver health care."