5 Sept 2023
Siriraj - Mahidol Engineering Faculty Launches AI Smart Logistics for 5G Smart Hospital: Revolutionizing Medicine Inventory Management System
On September 7, 2023, it was announced that Thailand's medical and public health advancements have gained international recognition for their high-quality treatment services and health security. The management system and logistics supporting these advancements are of utmost importance. The Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering at Mahidol University, through the Logistics and Health Supply Chain Management Center (LogHealth) and True Corporation Public Company Limited, have successfully launched the 'Intelligent Drug Inventory and Transportation Management System. This initiative highlights the efficiency of the 'Smart Hospital Model', which is poised to contribute to the country's goal of becoming a sustainable 'Medical Hub'.
Associate Professor Dr. Cherdchai Noppamaneechamraslert, Deputy Dean for Service Innovation and Organizational Value at the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, stated that the hospital's primary objective is to provide efficient and problem-free care to patients. This includes addressing issues related to medical treatment, waiting times, and streamlining processes to enhance patient satisfaction. A key focus is also on reducing the cost of healthcare by leveraging technology and promoting the use of digital innovations to improve management efficiency. Currently, Siriraj Hospital is engaged in a Smart Hospital development project in collaboration with both public and private partners. The project has received funding support from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to create a prototype of a 'Smart Hospital' that utilizes 5G Cloud technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to prevent, treat, and restore health. The ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of medical care and provide a positive experience for individuals seeking healthcare services.
One of the important innovations in the project is the development of a drug warehouse management system and intelligent transportation. This system, known as the 'Unmanned Car', is implemented within the hospital in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University and the Health Logistics and Supply Chain Management Center Faculty of Engineering Mahidol University. These institutions possess expertise in hospital logistics and various innovative technologies that aid in the development and resolution of problems in warehouse management and transportation within hospitals. The outcome of this innovation is the 'TMS-X transportation platform system', which can connect data from the SAP system using a QR code system. Additionally, it can connect to the Neolix intelligent unmanned vehicle (5G Unmanned Vehicle) system.
Associate Professor Dr. Cherdchai Noppamaneechamraslert, Deputy Dean for Service Innovation and Organizational Value at the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, stated that the hospital's primary objective is to provide efficient and problem-free care to patients. This includes addressing issues related to medical treatment, waiting times, and streamlining processes to enhance patient satisfaction. A key focus is also on reducing the cost of healthcare by leveraging technology and promoting the use of digital innovations to improve management efficiency. Currently, Siriraj Hospital is engaged in a Smart Hospital development project in collaboration with both public and private partners. The project has received funding support from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to create a prototype of a 'Smart Hospital' that utilizes 5G Cloud technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to prevent, treat, and restore health. The ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of medical care and provide a positive experience for individuals seeking healthcare services.
One of the important innovations in the project is the development of a drug warehouse management system and intelligent transportation. This system, known as the 'Unmanned Car', is implemented within the hospital in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University and the Health Logistics and Supply Chain Management Center Faculty of Engineering Mahidol University. These institutions possess expertise in hospital logistics and various innovative technologies that aid in the development and resolution of problems in warehouse management and transportation within hospitals. The outcome of this innovation is the 'TMS-X transportation platform system', which can connect data from the SAP system using a QR code system. Additionally, it can connect to the Neolix intelligent unmanned vehicle (5G Unmanned Vehicle) system.
Associate Professor Dr. Thanaphat Vanichanon, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Mahidol University, stated that we have entered a new era of research and development, focusing on innovative solutions that cater to the evolving industrial and medical sectors. It is essential to embrace diversity in order to solve problems and enhance efficiency. The success of the ‘Intelligent Drug Inventory and Transportation Management System' is a result of collaboration between the Logistics Management Center and the Health Supply Chain, as well as the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. This system aims to optimize drug transportation schedules and ensure accurate and timely delivery within hospitals, thereby promoting and supporting the potential of medical services. This collaboration will benefit both the medical service providers at Siriraj Hospital and the general public. The Faculty of Engineering at Mahidol University has established policies and directions for faculty administration, with a focus on fostering integrated cooperation in the curriculum, interdisciplinary research within Mahidol University, and the development of industry-linked innovations that create commercial opportunities for the benefit of citizens and all sectors.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duangphan Kritchanchai, Head of the Health Logistics and Supply Chain Management Center at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, the research and innovation project called "Intelligent Drug Inventory and Transportation Management System" is a result of applying logistics science to develop a more advanced forecasting and inventory management system. This project also incorporates Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create innovative AI models. The project includes the development of the 'TMS-X Hospital Transportation Platform System' and the use of a 5G Unmanned Vehicle to efficiently and accurately plan and schedule drug transport to medicine rooms within hospitals. The system is capable of integrating data from the disbursement management system (SAP system) through the treasury management system.The team has created a QR Code system to gather and oversee medicines and medical supplies at the packaging level. This information is then sent to the TMS-X system, which calculates the optimal transport cycles and schedules based on factors such as transport conditions, duration, and various processes involved. The aim is to minimize transportation costs. This system will replace the current method of using golf carts for delivery and manually scheduling delivery rounds, which can lead to errors, delays, and high transportation expenses.
The "Intelligent Drug Inventory and Transportation Management System" offers several benefits in terms of innovation. Firstly, it allows hospitals to reduce their inventory costs for medical products. Additionally, it provides an accurate forecast of medicine usage, which helps improve the efficiency of patient treatment and services. Hospitals are always well-stocked with a wide range of medicines and medical supplies, ensuring that patients receive them in a timely manner. Moreover, the platform enhances the accuracy of treatment provided by doctors and nurses, leading to an increase in patient safety. The success of this platform can be attributed to the expertise of the research and development team, as well as the collaboration of practitioners who provide valuable information and express their opinions. Furthermore, the awareness of the benefits of applying technology, along with the support of executives in terms of resources (such as people, time, and budget), contributes to the success of research and innovation, ultimately achieving its objectives.
