Can you imagine a hospital that runs itself, anticipates the needs of patients and staff while also being more efficient and secure? That is the goal of smart hospitals: where technology and innovation go hand in hand to enhance healthcare delivery and safety.
In this article, we explain what a smart hospital is, what advantages it offers and the security measures needed to make it a completely secure environment. Of course, we'll also look at the healthcare centre technological solutions we provide at Omnitec and how they help bring this new healthcare vision to life.
What is a smart hospital?
A smart hospital is a healthcare facility that leverages technology to improve patient care, management and the efficient use of all its resources.
In other words, a smart hospital helps coordinate people to work well within its areas and systems: from building access control and climate management to medication traceability and staff management, so everything in a smart hospital is interconnected.
Automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) collect and analyse the data from these systems in real time. For example, they can monitor who enters each area, which rooms are occupied and if the temperature in a room needs to be adjusted.
This ensures the hospital is an active environment, capable of adapting and responding quickly to any situation.
Advantages of smart hospitals
Adopting smart technology can bring numerous benefits to hospitals, healthcare professionals and patients alike. Among the most notable are:
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Greater efficiency: Smart resource management reduces waiting times, human error and energy costs.
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Improved patient care: Faster, more personalised management leads to a better overall patient experience.
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Sustainability: Sensors and energy optimisers help reduce energy use and prevent resource wastage.
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Enhanced security: Every access point, door and cabinet is digitally managed; ensuring confidentiality and regulatory compliance.
Security measures in smart hospitals
Security in a smart hospital covers people, information and resources; so the technology used must be reliable and intuitive, while being tailored to the needs of the healthcare centre in question.
The following security measures are among the most important in smart hospitals:
Access control
Hospitals manage areas with different levels of risk: A&E, operating theatres, laboratories, pharmacy, clinical records... That's why each of them requires different access permissions.
With access control systems like those we offer at Omnitec, professionals can access the areas that correspond to them using secure credentials. For example, a Mifare card, a numeric code or even their smartphone.
Everything is recorded and unauthorised intrusions are also prevented.
Intelligent management of staff and visitors
In smart hospitals, access is also managed dynamically. Credentials can have a set duration (by shift, by day or week), adapting to the changing pace of medical teams, external staff or student trainees.
This improves security and, at the same time, simplifies administration: there is no longer a need to issue or retrieve physical keys every time a shift changes.
Security of clinical furniture and resources
In addition to controlling doors and accesses, smart hospitals also protect cabinets containing medication, staff lockers, storerooms or even drawers where sterile material is kept.
How? With the help of smart locks like those from Omnitec. These electronic locks work with card, PIN or Bluetooth, and can connect to the network to offer real-time audits. In this way, the hospital knows at all times who has accessed a given resource and when.
Energy protection and intelligent comfort
Another essential measure in these types of centres is energy efficiency. In this regard, smart hospitals adopt solutions such as Omnitec's energy efficiency and saving systems.
For example, energy savers and presence sensors, which automatically turn off lights or air conditioning in empty rooms, reducing consumption and preventing overloads.
In addition, integrated control systems ensure that the temperature, ventilation and lighting are adequate in each area. This contributes to making environments safer and more comfortable for patients and healthcare workers.
Full audit and traceability
One of the pillars of any smart hospital is continuous auditing. Every access, opening or action is recorded in the management system, which facilitates compliance with all healthcare regulations and allows for the rapid detection of any incident.
Omnitec Systems: security and technology at the service of health
At Omnitec Systems we have been developing technology for over 15 years for spaces that need to be as efficient as they are secure, such as smart hospitals. These types of health centres are a perfect example of how our solutions can make a difference.
In addition, they are managed simply from platforms such as the OS Access access control software, which centralise user control, schedules and permissions in a single, very intuitive interface.
It is clear that smart hospitals are the future of healthcare: connected, sustainable and people-centred. And at Omnitec, we work every day to make them possible. We put security, efficiency and technology at the service of health. How about joining us?