Published: April 17, 2008 10:38 am            

I, Robot comes to London

St. Joseph London to utilize robot in patient care

By Brad Hicks / Staff Writer

The image of a patient lying in a hospital bed and being treated by a robot may sound like a scene from a science-fiction movie. However, for some patients of Saint Joseph London, this futuristic image will soon become a reality.

Recently, the Saint Joseph Health System received a grant to implement the InTouch Robot, also known as RP-7, in all seven of its hospitals in the commonwealth.

The robots are approximately five and a half feet tall, including the 15-inch monitor mounted on top, which will serve as its “head.” The robot is equipped with two-way audio and visual capabilities, allowing the patient to see and hear their doctor, and vice versa. Sensors around the bottom of the robot cause it to shut down if it gets too close to something or someone, eliminating the danger of it running into anyone.

Wednesday was the robot’s first official tour around the lobby of Saint Joseph London, and it certainly sparked some curiosity. As the InTouch Robot glided through the lobby, patients entering and exiting the hospital would stop and stare with bewilderment, only to see the face of the machine’s operator staring back. However, hospital officials are hopeful that by getting the word out on the robot, those coming into the hospital will recognize what it is and its purpose.

“We want people to know so when they see it, they’ll know why it’s here,” said Lori Young, Emergency Room and Observation Clinical manager and program manager for the robot at Saint Joseph London.

The goal of the InTouch Robot is to allow patients access to doctors who may not be in the same room or possibly the same hospital. Officials said this would cut down on the number of patients that may need to be transported to another hospital because a specialist may not be available at the one closest to them, not only providing convenience but possibly saving lives.

In an example given in a release by the Saint Joseph Health System, if a patient were to arrive at Saint Joseph Martin with symptoms of a stroke, an immediate consultation can be provided by a neurologist at Saint Joseph London or by a cardiologist at Saint Joseph Lexington via the robots.

Equipment can also be connected to the robot allowing examinations, such as ultrasounds and stethoscope checks to be conducted. If a patient is joined at bedside by one of the robots, it likely won’t be alone, as a “handler” will accompany the robot.

Officials say it is not their intent to eliminate the human element from health care, but rather provide better service to those in need.

“They’re not going to have a robot doctor,” Young said. “They’re still going to see the doctor. It’ll actually be his face they see. The doctor can check on them throughout the day using the robot. This should allow them to see the doctor more often.”

Hospital officials are hopeful this robot will permanently be roaming the halls of Saint Joseph London by the first of May and believe once it goes live, it will increase the efficiency of health care the hospital is able to provide.

Young said the ability for doctors to essentially be in two places at once will provide convenience to both patients and doctors.

“It’s better patient care,” she said. “It betters their (doctors’) lives and betters the lives of the patients.”

However, the InTouch Robot or the RP-7 apparently just doesn’t have that ring to it. So, the hospital staff of Saint Joseph London is currently taking steps to ensure it has a befitting moniker.

“It doesn’t have a name yet, so we’re having a naming contest,” Young said.

The official name of the robot is to be revealed Monday. And while the turnaround time of the robot getting its name will be quick, Young said the process of bringing it to Saint Joseph London was quite a bit longer. Steps were first taken about a year ago to bring the RP-7 into the Saint Joseph Health System.

Representatives for the hospital first saw the robot in action about a year ago and attended demonstrations in Santa Barbara, Calif. Their initial reaction was much like that of the patients entering the hospital Wednesday afternoon. However, adjusting to interacting with the robot was fairly quick.

“After the first meeting I went to on this a year ago — after seeing it I said ‘Oh my gosh, there’s no way,’” Young said. “Once you talk to it for a year, it’s just like us talking. It is really amazing.”

The robot, which was first implemented in Pontiac, Mich. hospitals, is controlled via a joystick connected to a computer at a control station. This computer, like the InTouch Robot, is equipped with microphones, a camera, as well as specialized software. The robot is connected to the computer via a wireless, broadband Internet connection. The joystick allows the operator to control both the robot and the monitor mounted on top.

“It’s basically like a big video game,” said project manager Ron Horn.

Officials agree the InTouch Robot uses truly cutting edge technology.

“It’s actually really advanced,” Horn said. “It gives us the ability to broadcast medicine. It’s similar to television, but now you’ve made it mobile. I think it’s awesome.”

The expectations for the InTouch Robot are high. Hospital representatives are hopeful that more hospital systems will follow suit and adopt this new technology.

“Our goal is to make it grow,” Horn said. “I’m excited about what it can bring to this area. I think it’s important for this area to have any technology that can be put to use for good reasons. We would like to be known as the health care system to help this grow outward.”

Physicians using the RP-7 must undergo two 30-minute training sessions prior to operating it. However, Evan Sparkman, desktop support analyst at Saint Joseph London and “driver” of the robot on its Wednesday tour around the hospital, said operation is a breeze.

“It’s really, really easy to pick up on,” he said. “It’s really addictive.”

The robot’s first day on the job at Saint Joesph London should take place within the next few weeks. Young is confident that patients will adjust quickly to having the InTouch Robot around.

“I’m sure we’ll have skeptics,” she said. “But once we get everybody use to it, I think everything will be fine.”

        

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