Med UniGraz and K-Businesscom conclude research cooperation agreement
Vienna, 14.10.2022 - The Medical University of Graz and the digitization specialist K-Businesscom have entered into a research cooperation. In the future, artificial intelligence will help hospitals to ensure that medication is administered without gaps. Background: Every year, thousands of people worldwide die from incorrect medication in hospitals. On the wards, there is a high risk of mix-ups when medicines are dispensed at several points. Smart Medication is designed to eliminate this safety problem.
"Too many errors still occur when medications are dispensed in hospitals - this gap must be closed quickly," says Priv.-Doz. Dr. Gerald Sendlhofer, Head of Quality and Risk Management, LKH University Hospital Graz. In this situation, algorithms that cannot tire are perfectly suited to support the highly stressed staff.
Four-eyes principle in drug administration
"In our joint research project, funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), we are relying on the four-eye principle of man and machine for safe medication - intelligent image recognition processes are used," says Michael Baumgartner, Head of Business Consulting, Health and Social Care at K-Businesscom. Initially, a comprehensive database of the most frequently prescribed medications will be created. Later, the AI will draw on this when the medication boxes are given to patients. The technology then automatically checks whether the correct drugs are 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 patient's bedside
"Our research project focuses in particular on the 'last meters' when it comes to the path of medicines to patients," says Baumgartner. "We are investigating how digital technology can concretely improve everyday hospital life here." At the same time, the contribution of smart helpers that are already in daily use will be measured.
The digital ward round trolley, for example, contains a personal "medication safe." At the start of the round, the nurse scans the barcode on the patient's wrist. Only then does the electronic patient file open, as well as the individual medication compartment - eliminating the possibility of mix-ups.
For two years, the research partners want to investigate what tangible benefits such digital helpers bring. "Even during the one-and-a-half-year preparatory period, we worked together excellently," says Priv.-Doz. Dr. Sendlhofer. "We are already looking forward to the new insights into how medication in the clinic can be designed safely in the future."
About K-Businesscom AG
K-Businesscom (formerly Kapsch BusinessCom) is Austria's leading ICT solutions and services provider and digitization 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 accompanies its customers in 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 Kapsch Group's 130 years of innovation and KBC's many years of experience as a market leader in 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 digitization 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: approx. 460 million euros Number of MA: 1,650
About the Medical University of Graz
The Research Unit for Safety and Sustainability in Health Care, a research unit of the University Department of Surgery, c/o Clinical Department 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, Stabsstelle Qualitäts- und Risikomanagement, relevant topics in the field of health care are worked on together. We conduct research in the areas of "patient safety" and "sustainable health care" 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 as well as their sustainability and thus contribute significantly to patient safety and sustainable healthcare. The project is carried out at M edUniGraz in cooperation with the Clinical Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology /University Hospital of Internal Medicine as an application partner under the on-site management of Assoz. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Julia Mader.