Physicians who use robots in intensive care units said the technology improved patient care, as well as the satisfaction of patients and their families, according to a report published in the journal Telemedicine and e-Health, United Press International reports.
About the Report
Charles Doarn -- editor in chief of the journal and a family and community medicine research professor at the University of Cincinnati -- said the report examined the use of remote-controlled robots that doctors used in ICUs to supplement on-site patient visits and maintain more frequent patient interactions.
Key Findings
According to the report, physicians who used the robots to supplement daily patient care valued the positive clinical and social effects of the technology (United Press International, 7/17).
The report found that:
- 100% of surveyed clinicians said they believe the use of the robots in an ICU either is "valuable" or "very valuable" for improving patient care, as well as patient and family satisfaction;
- 93% said they believe that using robots in ICUs improves compliance with best practices;
- 87% said they believe that using robots in ICUs improves nursing education; and
- 78% said they believe that using robots led to an associated reduction in ICU length of stay (Reynolds et al., Telemedicine and e-Health, 6/27).