Medical robotics started out three decades ago when doctors in the United States began to experiment with the use of robotic arms to assist in a few surgeries. Now, medical robotics has grown into a key component of any advanced healthcare system, with doctors around the world using the technology to deliver the best possible outcome for their patients. The use of robots is typically seen in surgeries where precision and repetition are key to success. Although there is still no substitute for the experience and expertise of a well-trained surgeon, the simple fact is that when it comes to performing very small and repetitive actions, a human operator does not always outperform a machine. In procedures where small movements and additional degrees of freedom are needed, a robot can be a great addition to the human hand. Additionally, in areas of healthcare where medical products and medications are stored, automation can be a great way to ensure accuracy and safe delivery to patients. These are the areas where the use of robotics in Bumrungrad continues to lead to the best outcomes for our patients.

Advancing Joint Care through MAKOplasty

Joint-related surgeries require extreme delicacy and precision, and while the human hand has proven to be capable of delivering on those demands, studies have shown that patients who received their joint replacement through the use of MAKO experience a significant decrease in the friction between their implants and bones, thus leading to less pain and a chance for the patient to return back to normal mobility much faster. Controlled by a doctor and powered by the Robotic Arm Interactive System, a MAKOplasty allows the surgeon to treat very specific joint conditions with excellent precision and accuracy. A MAKOplasty also allows surgeons at Bumrungrad’s Joint Replacement Center to utilize real-time imaging of the joint along with precise movements, thus ensuring an accurate placement of the implants and much more consistency and accuracy in measurements. These advantages lead to better alignment for the patient, thus also leading the patient to a much better outcome.

Swisslog: The Pharmacy Robot of Bumrungrad

When Bumrungrad Hospital implemented the use of the Swisslog drug-management system back in 2008, it was the first hospital Asia to implement such a system. Still, the chief belief for the hospital was that safe drug management goes far beyond just accurate dispensation, but that it includes the control of packaging and storage of prescription medication. This is why the Swisslog has been the standard at Bumrungrad’s Pharmacy for nearly a decade. Medication errors are a very common occurrence in many hospitals around the world, and Bumrungrad is committed to eliminating these occurrences through the use of an advanced and automated management system that does not rely on human memory and manual safeguards alone.

By removing the human factor and allowing for the automation of preparation, packaging, and dispensation of prescription medication that are tied in to the same barcode assigned to each doctor upon registration, the Swisslog system exists to ensure that each patient goes home with exactly the medicine they are supposed to. Once medication has been prescribed, the Swisslog system also check for everything starting with the patient’s identity to the dosage, time, and contraindications with other drugs. This is all done with the aim of eliminating any negative outcomes before the patient even gets their prescription.

The da Vinci Robot: The Jewel of Medical Robotics

The da Vinci Robot is probably one of the most significant developments in the field of medical robotics. Incorporating surgical instruments with visual aids, this robot helps surgeons perform important surgeries with even more precision than ever before. The robot is used in Bumrungrad’s Urology Center for the treatment of prostate cancer, as well as in other centers where doctors must operate within cavity areas that require very fine precision, such as surgeries within the kidney, uterus, pancreas, or intestines. The da Vinci Robot is controlled by the surgeon, who makes all the necessary movements in real time through an imaging and control system, while the robot carries out the necessary movements for the procedure. Leading to an outcome of less damage to healthy tissue, a smaller incision and scarring, and a much faster healing time, the da Vinci Robot is credited with helping surgeons deliver a much better quality of life for their patients. The robot also continues to play a very important role in the advancement of surgical processes, making it an even more important part of today’s advanced medical treatment.

See the Future at Bumrungrad

From computer-assisted diagnosis to robot-assisted surgery and a fully-automated pharmacy system, the future of medical innovation continues to advance at an impressive rate, and Bumrungrad continues to be at the forefront of these developments. It goes without saying that the more precision and control a doctor can offer in any treatment, the better the patient outcome is expected to be, which is why Bumrungrad continues to be an early adaptor of the latest in medical technologies. There’s more to delivering world-class care than meets the eye, sometimes it’s the systems in the background that make all the difference.