Top innovators from the Innovation Ignite Talks at the World Hospital Congress

Date:  18 December 2024

We’re thrilled to showcase the three highest-scoring innovators from the Innovation Ignite Talks at the World Hospital Congress 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

The three top scoring innovations of 2024 were:

  • Virtual Visit Track for Emergency Department Visits: Improving Patient Throughput from Stanford Medicine, USA
  • AI-Powered Screening and Monitoring Circuits in Ophthalmology (SEER Model) from ULS Santa Maria, Portugal
  • Smart Badge Reel for Caregiver Safety from Kwema USA

Congratulations to these exceptional teams for their ground-breaking innovations and well-deserved recognition!

Stanford Medicine, USA

Virtual Visit Track for Emergency Department Visits: Improving Patient Throughput

Stanford Medicine’s Virtual Visit Track (VVT) improves patient flow, efficiency, and access in our busy emergency departments. This “inverted” telemedicine model allows patients to receive care onsite with access to labs, imaging, specialists, and nursing, while a centralized remote physician oversees their care using advanced virtual visit tools and workflows. Developed to address rising ED demand and resource challenges, the VVT sets the stage for expanding virtual care services. By leveraging digital tools, we aim to reduce avoidable ED admissions and serve patients within and beyond our health system efficiently.

ULS Santa Maria, Portugal

AI-Powered Screening and Monitoring Circuits in Ophthalmology (SEER Model)

The glaucoma department of the ophthalmology unit of ULS Santa Maria located at Lisbon, Portugal has been applying a pioneer screening protocol to detect two of the main causes of irreversible blindness in the World – glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The screening protocol is based on an Artificial Intelligence (AI) - integrated monitoring system that can screen thousands of cases yearly, allowing low-risk patients to be treated locally. These AI-enhanced systems are capable of risk assessment and monitoring already at the primary care ecosystem – reduced number of machinery and no need of the physical presence of an ophthalmologist. This innovative healthcare model would decrease the number of time and resources per decision process, ultimately decreasing waiting times while promoting access.

Kwema, USA 

Smart Badge Reel for Caregiver Safety

The Kwema Smart Badge Reel has emerged as a significant innovation in healthcare systems across the United States, particularly in addressing the pressing issue of workplace violence. This issue is particularly pronounced in the healthcare sector, where rates of violence against healthcare workers have shown dramatic increases over the past few years. This solution addresses these challenges by seamlessly integrating with medical settings’ security protocols and enhancing emergency response times. This combination of functionality and comfort makes it a vital tool for empowering caregivers and creating safer work environments.

Written by:

Victoria Del Pozo

Digital transformations
Innovation
Insights
Leadership
World Hospital Congress

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