UP’s robot helps out at CBD hospital to tackle Covid-19 third wave
The mobile robot goes on rounds with doctors and helps them communicate instantly with specialists in Germany.
A mobile robot, powered by artificial intelligence, belonging to the University of Pretoria (UP) has been deployed at the Steve Biko hospital in Pretoria to help out with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Named Stevie, the robot helps treat Covid patients through daily instant live discussion and communication between German and South African ICU teams, according to Primarashni Gower, of UP’s Department of Institutional Advancement.
Stevie would assist the intensive-care team at UP’s health sciences faculty and at Steve Biko academic hospital.
The mobile robot will ultimately help improve patients’ treatment during the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is named after Biko, one of the most prominent figures during South Africa’s anti-Apartheid struggle.
According to UP health faculty dean Professor Tiaan de Jager, so-called “telemedicine” – the distribution of health-related services and information via electronic information and telecommunication technologies – plays a crucial role in patient care.
“While Covid-19 meant a massive disruption in the healthcare sector, it also inspired the sector to rethink its current systems and find ways to be more efficient,” said De Jager.
“Our faculty takes pride in responding to the demands of the fourth industrial revolution, which can aid patient care, enhance teaching and learning experience for students. We support the university in conducting research that matters and has a positive impact on society,” he said.
Stevie is the second robot to be employed by UP, following Libby, the robotic library assistant who arrived in 2019.
“Stevie has caused much excitement throughout the hospital since its arrival,” said Professor Fathima Paruk, academic and clinical head of the Department of Critical Care at UP and Steve Biko academic hospital.
“It has become the ICU team’s much-adored baby.”
The robot has a privacy handset, which was a live phone to aid confidential communication during ward rounds.
It also boasts a stethoscope port where it can remotely relay information while a patient is being examined.
In addition to this, Stevie has high-definition pan-tilt-zoom cameras, which enables visualisation of detail for close-up diagnosis and patient care oversight.
“ICU specialists and their teams based in Germany will join the South African ICU team in person through the robot’s digital screen,” Paruk said.
She said both the South African and German teams, led by ICU specialists, would be able to interact virtually.
“This will enable the team from Germany to see the patient, look at the ICU monitors and talk with patients.”
Stevie will allow the exchange of ideas, specialist training, global collaborations, educational workshops for highly selective or niche specialities in critical care.
“Specialists will also be able to remotely advise upon and guide bedside procedures.”
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