In this interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, Armin Schorer describes the role networked logistics solutions play in today's hospitals, explains the requirements that have to be met for their implementation and ponders the future development of hospital logistics.
Mr. Schorer, what role do networked logistics solutions play in hospitals today?
Armin Schorer: Networked solutions still do not play a big role at the moment. They have not been implemented yet in most cases. Many hospitals have not given any thought yet to the necessary requirements for this type of integration. Even though there are tools available for the digitization of hospitals, the responsible hospital planners are not always familiar with them.
So essentially there are no actual complete network solutions on the market yet?
Schorer: There is a pilot project at the Charité Berlin, which we equipped with our systems last year. Yet even this solution is not completely integrated yet. There are definitely more options available, but they would involve major changes in both the personnel department and the administrative sector. This does not mean that these would result in a reduction of staff but simply refers to a drastic change. Digitization does not just involve the implementation of software or an electronic solution. If a medical facility wants to implement these types of digitization strategies, management has to also carefully consider how and with whom it wants to carry out these plans. Personnel structures and responsibilities must be adjusted to that effect. What’s more, staff members have to be open to digitization and not object and be opposed to it.
What do hospitals look for in terms of technical features or technical performance when they are interested in logistics solutions?
Schorer: So far, most hospitals we have encountered are more likely not very knowledgeable about what is currently technically feasible. On the one hand, clinics are not interested in short-term solutions, which is why they tend to look for service providers that promise reliability due to their high profile and degree of popularity. On the other hand, sustainability is also a very important aspect for them. Most facilities want a technical system combined with long-term consulting and support services. This assistance and continuous process improvement and optimization are designed to create a reliable partnership. Correspondingly, the technical solution itself has to be process software and not just documentation software.