Health Minister Roger Cook officially opened the new Health in a Virtual Environment (HIVE) patient monitoring innovation inside the East Metropolitan Health Service Command Centre. The $22 million HIVE is an East Metropolitan Health Service-driven initiative that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and technology to continuously track and monitor a patient’s condition.
HIVE clinicians are alerted when a monitored patient displays early signs of clinical deterioration. Once alerted, clinicians use the patient’s information, data analytics tools and clinical systems to support and collaborate with the ward-based clinical teams using two-way audio and video to respond appropriately.
In its first year, HIVE will monitor 50 beds across 11 different wards at Royal Perth and Armadale hospitals. The HIVE will be staffed by one clinician and two nurses continuously, operating 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
The service will have a wide range of benefits to the health system including reducing the length of stay for patients located in monitored beds, reducing hospital readmissions and reducing the number of patient transfers from Armadale to Royal Perth hospitals. This ultimately improves the patient experience, staff experience and has substantial financial benefits.
By using digital technologies to deliver safe and more efficient care, the service highlights the State Government’s ongoing commitment to providing incredible health care for all Western Australians.
The Health Minister stated that the Government has a strong commitment to encouraging investment in innovation to improve the future health of all Western Australians. The Sustainable Health Review highlighted the need to invest in digital healthcare to transform and improve the quality of care for Western Australians, and the HIVE is a great example of that investment in action.
The HIVE will revolutionise the way the region delivers healthcare in WA, and will also provide ongoing opportunities for research involving artificial intelligence and data analytics to ensure WA researchers are at the forefront. The HIVE also represents a major opportunity for WA researchers and innovators to become world leaders in the development of biotechnology and AI-assisted healthcare delivery.
Digitalising healthcare
OpenGov Asia recently reported that following the Request for Information (RFI) inviting stakeholders to contribute to a conversation about the future of the national infrastructure in 2019, the Australian Digital Health Agency (Agency) has commenced a program of work to undertake activities to modernise the national digital health infrastructure to better connect Australia’s healthcare system and deliver significant improvements in the quality and efficiency of healthcare.
The National Infrastructure Modernisation (NIM) program has been developed with feedback from stakeholders to consider what a digital health ecosystem could be over a 10-year horizon. It supports Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy and the connections between state and territory government services.
The Program will deliver three key outcomes for Australian healthcare providers and patients:
- a secure and sustainable digital infrastructure with improved ability to innovate and expand future capabilities and services nationally;
- ensure that digital health needs for all users are further progressed through a modern, future-proofed seamless digital platform; and
- ensure that the benefits of digital health technologies and services supported by the national infrastructure are realised for consumers and clinicians, leading to improved health and wellbeing for all Australians.
The government looks forward to working with all its stakeholders to deliver the digital health products and services Australia needs while promoting a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.