Analysis and Improvement in Healthcare Operation Utilizing Automation

ABSTRACT

The development of various medications, vaccines and surgical methods in healthcare has been significantly contributing to longer life expectancy. However, there are still various challenges that need to be addressed in the healthcare system. One of the biggest challenges in streamlining processes is that medical staff are required to do various repetitive tasks manually. This study aims to examine how automation and robotics can be utilized to improve the efficiency of healthcare/biomedical services. The high-end collaborative robot, the 'YuMi' robot is proposed to modify and streamline biomedical lab operations to work side-by-side with biomedical lab technicians to assist various repetitive and routine tasks. Four potential frameworks (i.e., aged care, sorting and dispensing medicines, assisting at surgical operations and sample collection) are developed to identify potential applications of the Yumi robot. With the Covid-19 pandemic situation, there is an immediate need for safe sample collections and patient interaction to mitigate the outbreak of the virus. In this study, a framework for the sample collection and testing of Covid-19 is also proposed to minimize the risks of medical staff and local transmissions. Samples testing of suspected patients, travellers, and those in close contact with Covid-19 patients will proceed without direct interactions with healthcare workers, eventually, minimizing exposure and spread of this communicable disease. © 2022 IEEE.