Equipping Tomorrow’s Healthcare Facilities for the Digital Age

Schneider

December 22, 2017

The main mission of any healthcare facility is to provide cost-effective care, patient satisfaction and safety, and financial performance. However, according to a recent survey commissioned by Schneider Electric, many healthcare facilities don’t have the right power solutions in place to support these goals.

Aging infrastructure unequipped for the digital age

More than one-third (36 percent) of the 150 healthcare executives and facility managers surveyed indicated their power distribution infrastructures are more than five years old. While not old by power infrastructure standards, these systems are certainly outdated, designed before the energy requirements and interconnectedness of the digital age were upon us.

In fact, just 18 percent of healthcare facilities represented in the survey are taking advantage of the internet of things (IoT) in their power systems, and the percentage is even lower in smaller facilities where just nine percent have implemented significant IoT-enabled power solutions.

Safety, satisfaction outrank efficiency

Intelligent power distribution and management systems can safeguard healthcare facilities against myriad risks, not the least of which is power failure, which is not only costly but can endanger patient and staff safety.

The survey found that a quarter (25 percent) of respondents ranked safety as the most important characteristic for their facility when considering power distribution, while energy use/cost reduction and power availability/reliability followed closely behind, cited by 22 percent of respondents.

Despite challenges, healthcare facilities still planning investments in power

Interestingly, the survey found more than half of survey respondents are planning to invest in advanced power distribution in the next 12 months. Among the objectives driving this investment, patient satisfaction was cited as most important by 84 percent, followed closely by patient outcomes and energy efficiency.

It’s no surprise budget restrictions pose the biggest hurdle to investing in advanced power systems, cited by nearly half (47 percent) of respondents, followed by a misunderstanding of benefits (15 percent) and lack of internal resources to build and maintain systems (14 percent). To be expected, the budget is an even bigger challenge for 51 percent of hospitals versus 38 percent of health systems.

EcoStruxure Power – enhancing patient care through power reliability and safety

Fortunately, a full system overhaul isn’t necessary to begin reaping the benefits of IoT. Instead, facilities can upgrade or retrofit their existing systems with IoT-enabled devices and solutions such as smart electrical panels, connected power metering devices and power monitoring software.

To utilize the vast array of IoT-enabled devices and data-intensive equipment required to transform facility operations and improve patient satisfaction, today’s healthcare facilities must equip their power systems with advanced technologies.

EcoStruxure Power is tailored to meet the always-on power environments of clinical care settings and hospitals. Through connected products, edge control, and apps, analytics and services, EcoStruxure Power helps healthcare facilities ensure reliable electrical power to critical areas, identify potential issues before a power failure occurs and monitor electrical distribution to improve patient safety and reduce energy costs. Learn how EcoStruxure Power can help healthcare facilities drive value and patient satisfaction.

Healthy Hospital

Source: https://blog.schneider-electric.com/healthcare/2017/11/28/equipping-tomorrows-healthcare-facilities-digital-age/

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Andreas Sobotta to Assume Role of Vice President North and South America for Pilz Automation

    Andreas Sobotta to Assume Role of Vice President North and South America for Pilz Automation

    Pilz Automation Safety Canada L.P. announces that their long-term CEO and GM, Andreas Sobotta, will assume the role of Vice President North and South America, effective immediately. He will still work from the Canadian office in Mississauga and visit all other subsidiaries in North and South America. Pilz will take their time to find a… Read More…

  • SEW-Eurodrive: MAXOLUTION System Solutions

    SEW-Eurodrive: MAXOLUTION System Solutions

    Whether in production or logistics operations, MAXOLUTION is synonymous with innovation in factory automation – across all industries and worldwide – helping you achieve your vision of an adaptable and resilient lean smart factory. Under the MAXOLUTION brand, SEW-EURODRIVE creates customized solutions for cutting-edge materials handling technology – from the shop floor through to IT.… Read More…


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • Making the Sustainable Transformation of the Process Industry a Success

    Making the Sustainable Transformation of the Process Industry a Success

    By Krystie Johnston and Dr. Manfred Jagiella – Sustainability facilitates opportunity when approached with a mindset to preserve resources and promote circularity. We share one Earth, and it is our global responsibility to care for it for the next generation. Endress+Hauser is one global company that understands this responsibility – and practices it as well.… Read More…

  • Why NOARK’s 12VDC Shunt Trip Coils for MCCBs Make Power Systems Reliable and Safer

    Why NOARK’s 12VDC Shunt Trip Coils for MCCBs Make Power Systems Reliable and Safer

    Circuit breakers are an essential component of any modern electrical system. Designed to protect your home or business from potential overloads or short circuits, these devices are your first line of defense against electrical fires. There are, however, situations where remote tripping of the circuit breaker may be required. It could be for operational reasons,… Read More…