Hospital environments are incredibly busy, and they are also becoming increasingly complex places. This is why automated guided vehicles are now being introduced into hospitals in order to help reduce the pressure on staff by performing tasks such as transporting meals, linen, waste, medication, or equipment.

This reliable method of transforming daily operations is a big step towards increasing efficiency and patient outcomes, so here AGV system specialists, Aerocom, take a look at what it takes to integrate AGVs successfully into hospitals by looking at the planning, the importance of staff buy-in, and the benefits and constraints of this essential technology.

What are AGVs?

An automated guided vehicle (AGV) is a mobile robot that can move along a preset or programmable path. They tend to be used in the transportation of goods and so, in a hospital, they can be responsible for the delivery of supplies, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, laundry, waste, and meals.

An AGV will use a magnetic strip that has been placed along the floor in order to follow its route, or it will work off a GPS or laser system to work out where it needs to go. Most AGVs are also fitted with cameras or sensors so that they can detect obstacles and avoid any accidents.

They are capable of lifting heavy loads, which means it is possible to reduce manual handling in a hospital environment. This means there is a much lower risk of any staff injuries, whilst at the same time improving efficiency and creating a greater focus on patient care for staff members.

AGVs were first developed to work in warehouses and assembly plants, as they were very useful in transporting goods around the space and freeing up time for employees to perform other tasks. As they have developed, they have become useful in a much wider range of environments and are becoming a significant part of the shift towards smart hospitals and automation in clinical environments.

The challenges of hospital AGV integration

Bringing AGVs into hospital environments has not always been a straightforward task, as there are a lot of infrastructure constraints to take into consideration. Many hospitals are still based in older buildings that have narrow corridors, which can be difficult for an AGV to navigate—especially when there are people in the area. They are also required to manage the foot traffic of a hospital, as well as keep track of bed movements and emergencies that might be going on around them.

AGVs are required to manage multiple departments, varied floor surfaces, and lift access, which can be achieved through integration into other systems.

Infection control is also incredibly important, and so AGVs have been developed to be compatible with hospital-level hygiene and cleaning protocols.

AGV project planning

In order to bring AGVs into a hospital environment, you will need collaboration from a variety of different stakeholders. This will involve clinical and facilities staff members working with the AGV suppliers from the start in order to ensure that they can be brought in effectively.

There will also need to be a site assessment where corridors, lifts, charging stations, and storage spaces are all evaluated. Many hospitals choose to undertake a pilot project where AGVs can be tested in a limited area, such as dealing with laundry or waste, before they are rolled out across the whole facility. This allows staff to see how effective the AGVs are capable of being and also allows management to identify any issues they might encounter and resolve them before they are brought in on a wider basis.

In order to understand how successful AGVs can be, you will need to develop a roadmap that establishes clear milestones and metrics for success. This can help stakeholders to understand the full return on investment that AGVs have achieved.

It is also important to anticipate any future needs of the hospital by thinking about scalability and the potential role expansion for AGVs as the hospital services evolve.

Training and engagement of staff

It is important to remember that AGVs are only capable of adding value if staff members understand how to work with them and around them. Some staff members may be resistant to the integration of AGVs, but with the right training it is possible to encourage a collaborative and positive approach.

Training should include operational use as well as safety protocols and basic troubleshooting, and there should be clear communication to staff about the benefits of the AGVs and an appropriate way of addressing any concerns. It is important to remind staff members that this will take away a lot of the repetitive and routine tasks, allowing them to focus on offering higher-quality patient care instead.

It is also important to ensure that regular refresher training is offered as the technology of the AGVs continues to evolve.

AGV compatibility

It is important to ensure that any AGVs are compatible with hospital operations. They will therefore need a certain degree of technical integration to ensure that they can work seamlessly with lifts, doors, and charging stations. They will also need assistance with environmental compatibility, including adding sensors to ensure that they are able to avoid equipment, patients, and staff whilst going about their tasks.

Infection control is an important concern, so the surface finish that is used on the AGVs will need to enable thorough cleaning and disinfection on a regular basis.

It is also important to ensure that the AGVs are maintained on a regular basis. This will involve establishing protocols for routine servicing and downtime planning so that they can continue to operate efficiently.

Scalability is also an important concern, so it is essential that hospitals design a system that is able to adapt as different departments expand or evolve.

As hospitals become smarter, AGVs will become even more important. They are a long-term investment in quality, safety, and efficiency as part of a wider shift towards automation. This new way of working will allow staff members to do what they do best and give patients much better outcomes.

Tom Hughes is the General Manager at Aerocom who are specialists in pneumatic tube systems for the retail, education and hospital sectors.