Med UniGraz and K-Businesscom enter into research cooperation
Vienna, 14.10.2022 - The Medical University of Graz and digitalization specialist K-Businesscom have entered into a research partnership. In future, artificial intelligence will help hospitals to ensure that medication is administered seamlessly. Background: Every year, thousands of people worldwide die due to incorrect medication in hospital. On the wards, there is a high risk of confusion when dispensing medication in several places. Smart Medication aims to eliminate this safety problem.
"There are still too many errors in the allocation of medication in hospitals - this gap needs to be closed quickly," says Priv.-Doz. Dr. Gerald Sendlhofer, Head of Quality and Risk Management, University Hospital Graz. In this situation, algorithms that cannot tire are perfect for supporting the busy staff.
Four-eyes principle for administering medication
"In our joint research project, funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), we are focusing on the dual control principle of man and machine for safe medication - using intelligent image recognition processes," says Michael Baumgartner, Head of Business Consulting, Health and Social Care at K-Businesscom. The first step is to create a comprehensive database of the most frequently prescribed medications. Later, the AI will access this when the boxes of medication are dispensed to patients. The technology then automatically checks whether the correct medication is in the dispenser in the correct dosage. To do this, the information is compared with the electronic patient file.
Seamlessly safeguarding the "last few meters" to the hospital bed
"Our research project focuses in particular on the 'last few meters' of the medication's journey to the patient," says Baumgartner. "We are investigating how digital technology can specifically improve everyday hospital life here." At the same time, the contribution of smart assistants that are already in daily use is to be measured.
For example, the digital ward round trolley contains a personal "medication safe". At the start of the ward round, the nurse scans the barcode on the patient's wrist. Only then does the electronic patient file and the individual medication compartment open - no mix-ups.
The research partners want to spend two years investigating the tangible benefits of such digital helpers. "We have already worked together excellently during the one-and-a-half year preparation period," says Priv.-Doz. Dr. Sendlhofer. "We are already looking forward to the new insights into how medication can be managed safely in the clinic in future."
About K-Businesscom AG
K-Businesscom (formerly Kapsch BusinessCom) is Austria's leading ICT solution and service provider and digitalization partner. KBC combines certified technology expertise with industry know-how as a consultant and end-to-end digital business engineer. In the DACH region, Romania and the Czech Republic, the company develops new business models with its customers on its own KBC platforms with IOT, AI and other software applications. K-Businesscom also supports its customers on their cloud transformation journey and in the development of smart offices. The KBC Cyber Defense Center provides 24/7 protection against cyber attacks. The basis for all of this is the 130 years of innovative strength of the Kapsch Group and KBC's many years of experience as a market leader for network solutions, collaboration, data center infrastructure, security and managed services. Combined with the technologies and services of numerous international manufacturers such as Cisco, Microsoft, HPE and AWS. K-Businesscom employees are convinced that digital technologies can create value, protect the environment and improve our standard of living. With its digitalization expertise, KBC therefore intends to make a significant contribution to promoting the European data economy in conjunction with corresponding sustainability in the coming years.
Turnover FY 21/22: around 460 million euros Number of employees: 1,650
About the Medical University of Graz
The Research Unit for Safety and Sustainability in Health Care, a research unit of the Department of Surgery, c/o Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Medical University of Graz, is the first university institution to explicitly address the topics of "Safety and Sustainability in Health Care". In close cooperation and networking with the LKH-Univ. Klinikum Graz, Quality and Risk Management Unit, relevant topics in the field of healthcare are dealt with jointly. We conduct research in the areas of "patient safety" and "sustainable healthcare" and support their implementation in everyday medical practice. The aim is to deal with the development of patient safety-relevant aspects, the implementation of methods, tools or devices and their sustainability and thus make a significant contribution to patient safety and sustainable healthcare. The project is being carried out at M edUniGraz in cooperation with the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology/University Clinic for Internal Medicine as an application partner under the on-site management of Assoc. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Julia Mader.