In an exclusive conversation with APAC News Network & CXO News, Sudeep Dey, CIO, Healthcare Global Enterprises, highlights the increasing usage of new-gen technologies like robotics and GenAI in the hospital.
What are the key digital initiatives undertaken at HCG Hospitals that you would like to highlight?
The key digital initiatives are primarily in two domains. The first domain is patient-oriented, which helps the patient through the journey to become disease-free and also helps the patient in lifelong care for a disease-free future. This is clinically and administratively fully integrated into each step of the journey, and is electronically mapped and powered by state-of-the-art technologies.
How has the O-Arm O2 Surgical Imaging and Navigation System been deployed at HCG Hospitals function?
We are using robotic surgery technology from Intuitive Surgical Inc. The robot called Da Vinci is used for complex surgeries. HCG, along with the OEM, is making all efforts to make this treatment option available to more and more needy patients. This is planned both by the deployment of robots in various locations other than the Centre of Excellence (CoE) and also working on the economics for affordability.
How are you looking at leveraging new-gen technologies like generative AI, robotics, and IoT among others to optimize hospital productivity at HCG Hospitals?
We are experimenting with AI in several use cases clinically. Each model is in the building stages right now. Apart from using AI in clinical note development, HCG started using AI in Radiology in April 2023. Robotic Surgery is one of the key strategies for HCG. We have been deploying robotic surgery facilities closer to its patients at various hospital locations.
How is HCG Hospitals deploying robotics to conduct surgeries? What are the cost implications for the patients?
We are constantly working with OEMs on the supplies of the consumables so that over all the surgeries are more in numbers and economical too. Also, we are learning effective utilization of the equipment which makes sure there are economies of scale. That results in lesser costs per surgery and as a result, it is beneficial for the cost structure.
How has HCG Hospitals eliminated mercury-based medical measuring devices and promoted more stringent medical hygiene and eco-friendly practices? What role has technology played in this journey towards sustainability?
Removing mercury from healthcare products is essential to safeguard both human health and the environment. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can accumulate in the food chain, posing significant risks to wildlife and human populations. By choosing mercury-free alternatives, companies like Healthcare Global Enterprises contribute to a safer and more sustainable healthcare industry. For the past two years, HCG has used zero mercury.
How is HCG Hospitals leveraging data and analytics to improve operational efficiency?
HCG has been using data-driven operations for all corporate functions. We had started with SCM operations and have now extended the same to all facets of corporate and business operations.
Clinically we were on data-driven decision making previously too but it was never real-time. We have embarked now on a journey to create a near real-time process.
What is the status of telemedicine and remote health monitoring services at HCG Hospitals?
We have made tele consult for all centers and tele radiology enablement for select centers in the year 2023. We are yet to start anything as far as remote health monitoring is concerned directly.
