New project set to bring forth the hospital of the future

In the future, hospitals should be transformed into smart systems. A Swiss consortium will now set about researching how the digitalization process required for this can be implemented. The Smart Hospital – Integrated Framework, Tools & Solutions (SHIFT) project has now been set up or this purpose.

The overarching objective is to investigate the use of digital technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as well as the networking of processes and data, further details of which can be found in a press release. These technologies could help to improve the quality of service offered by hospitals, generate efficiency gains and reduce costs.

One example would be data-based forecast models for prognoses, planning and optimizing personnel deployment plans. In addition, sensors and apps could help to promote physical activity in patients recovering from surgery. However, digital technologies could also play a major role in the prevention and early detection of diseases

The SHIFT project is being led by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), while the University of Zurich and University of Basel, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) in addition to several hospitals have also been brought on board. Furthermore, a total of 24 industrial partners are involved in the project with a focus on practical implementation. These include, for example, Roche Diabetes Care AG in Risch in the canton of Zug, the consulting firm KPMG and heyPatient, a start-up based in Winterthur.

The project will run until June 2025. It is being supported by Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency, and has a total budget of 5.7 million Swiss francs.