A nurse shopping hands-free using Facial Recognition.

Hitachi High-Tech Corporation (hereinafter referred to as Hitachi High-Tech) has started a demonstration experiment of workplace environment improvement services combined with disaster preparedness storage at Kurume University Hospital, aimed at reforming the work styles of medical professionals and enhancing the functions of disaster base hospitals.
This demonstration will sell daily necessities provided by Hitachi Ltd Sponsored ADR at the unmanned communication store "CO-URIBA" to improve the workplace environment and disaster preparedness storage for medical workers who work day and night, and it will verify the ability to stockpile using a rolling stock method.

Background

With the advancing aging population and declining birthrate, the serious shortage of medical professionals, who are important frontline workers supporting social life, has become critical. In response to this situation, there is a strong demand for reforming the work styles of medical professionals, and creating a convenient and stress-free workplace environment has become an important issue. Medical professionals want to utilize their limited break time effectively, but those working in higher floors of wards are currently facing delays in moving to areas outside their work zone due to elevator congestion.
Moreover, in the modern age where disasters have become commonplace due to climate change, hospitals that support disaster medical care are required to enhance their disaster prevention functions. Specifically, reducing waste loss caused by large quantities of disaster preparedness supplies expiring at the same time and improving the food environment to alleviate stress for medical professionals and evacuees during disasters has become a critical issue.

Against this backdrop, Hitachi High-Tech has developed workplace environment improvement services combining disaster preparedness storage as a "hospital management support solution" through the provision of medical devices and IT solutions, and Kurume University Hospital, which aimed to reform the work styles of medical professionals and enhance resilience as a disaster base hospital, cooperated to realize this demonstration experiment.

Features of this service.

(1) Providing products that connect everyday joy even during emergencies.

• Everyday grocery items, clothing, and household goods are stored as disaster preparedness supplies within the Hospital and sold in the work areas of medical personnel, supporting them who want to make effective use of their limited break time.
• Realized hands-free shopping utilizing the Facial Recognition technology of "CO-URIBA." It provides an environment where medical personnel who do not carry mobile phones or wallets during work can purchase products more smoothly.
• A lineup of easy and delicious meals and snacks centered around Pre-Cooked Food has been prepared. This not only supports medical personnel during their shifts but also reduces the burden of household chores after returning home.

(2) Mechanism of rolling stock to support medical personnel in emergencies.

• A rolling stock mechanism is adopted, where products are purchased as disaster preparedness supplies and consumed in everyday life. This prevents the waste loss due to simultaneous expiration of bulk-purchased disaster preparedness supplies and achieves efficient stock management.
• By providing the same meals during disasters as usual, it contributes to reducing the stress of medical personnel.
• By compensating for investment in disaster prevention stockpiles with sales from commodity sales, it is possible to effectively utilize limited management resources in hospitals while also achieving improvements in the workplace environment.

Regarding this demonstration, Yoshihiro Fukumoto, Deputy Director of Kurume University Hospital, stated, "This service allows doctors and nurses to purchase commodities without carrying their wallets or smartphones, which seems promising during busy times when every minute counts. Moreover, the rolling stock mechanism, which considers commonly used products as part of the hospital's disaster prevention stockpile, is expected to contribute to creating disaster-resistant hospitals and raising disaster awareness among healthcare professionals."

Future developments.

In the future, Hitachi High-Tech will organize challenges towards commercialization, continually supporting healthcare professionals involved in clinical work day and night with food and daily necessities, while strengthening the function of disaster stockpiles and contributing to the reform of work styles in medical institutions. It will also expand collaboration with government bodies, pharmaceutical companies, local businesses, and others that support disaster base hospitals to tackle regional issues.
Additionally, it will support the work of healthcare professionals working on the frontline of medical care through DX, while striving to realize sustainable regional healthcare.

"About CO-URIBA"

About Hitachi High-Tech.

Hitachi High-Tech manufactures and sells medical analysis equipment, bio-related products, radiation treatment systems, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, analysis equipment, and other products, in addition to providing high value-added solutions in the industrial fields of mobility, connected, environment and energy, and other areas. The company conducts global business operations in a wide range of business areas with consolidated sales revenue of 670.4 billion yen in the fiscal year ending March 2024. Based on its core technology of 'observe, measure, and analyze', Hitachi High-Tech will contribute to solving various social issues and realizing a sustainable society through its business.

About Kurume University Hospital.

Kurume University Hospital celebrates its 95th anniversary this year. With the philosophy of 'caring for people and the Earth, cherishing life', the hospital has developed alongside the community by providing compassionate care to patients and their families, ensuring safe and reliable medical services. It serves approximately 460,000 outpatient visits and 300,000 inpatient visits annually, with over 7,000 surgeries performed each year. The medical care is supported by approximately 2,400 staff, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and various other medical and administrative personnel. Kurume University Hospital always prioritizes medical safety and works as a united team to contribute to everyone's health and happiness.

Contact information

Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation Health Care Business Division Treatment Systems Division Solution Services Department.
[Contact: Yamanaka, Imura]
1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-6409, Toranomon Hills Business Tower.