MIYAKE MEDICAL INSTITUTE GROUP

Miyake Rehabilitation Hospital completed a full renovation in 2004 and converted 60% of its rooms to private rooms. In consideration of hospitality for its in-patients, the hospital provided bedside TVs. However, this facility was originally designed to provide the patient with more information, and so the idea of installing computers instead of TVs came about.

"If the computers have a tuner, they can also watch TV, and information can be directly sent from the hospital to the patient. For example, patients can now view on screen the hospitalization guidelines, a directory of the facility that is printed out on paper." (Shin-ichiro Miyake, Chief Director of Miyake Medical Institute Group)

Since 2004, usage of the Internet has grown, and we now live in an age where not only do people use it for work, students and even the elderly use it. Currently, all rooms in the Miyake Rehabilitation Hospital share wireless LAN, but the medical information system and general information system networks are completely separated.

“In general, regarding medical information, there is the restriction that ‘the security of medical information must be ensured’. This restriction is very inconvenient and makes it difficult to send and receive MRI, CT, and other imaging data used in remote diagnosis and telemedicine.” Mr.Miyake said.

Q: What can be achieved in the future with a Contec information terminal by connecting to the Internet? "It would be interesting if patients could connect to a convenience store and purchase items as they like. In addition, we are also thinking of eventually solving the security issues and enabling patients to easily view their own electronic medical record. We also want to enable patients to call a nurse from the screen. We are now at the stage of making preparations to enable a physician or nurse on their rounds to perform a medical examination simply by looking at the screen. In essence, we are trying to see how many functions we can integrate." Mr.Miyake said.

Miyake is also very particular about the usability of the information terminal.
"Hospital TVs are usually placed on a shelf, but you really want to watch it face on. Therefore, we searched the world for an arm that could withstand the weight of the information terminal and had it mounted." Mr.Miyake said.

Q: What do you see as the ultimate goal of the development of information technology?

"Ultimately, we would like to see information technology make its way to home care. Our group currently offers home-visit nursing care and rehabilitation, care plans, and other home care, but we would like to be able to provide two-way communication via a screen to help manage diet and provide instructions on taking medicine. Next, we would like to enhance sensor features and predict behavior such as 'the hospitalized patient just sat up in bed and will next turn to the side and stand up.' This will help prevent accidental falls, which are the most common issue for medical safety management in the hospital. By linking the sensor with the information terminal, voice guidance can be given and a message can be displayed on the screen indicating, for example, that a nurse is on his way and the patient should wait. By implementing this function, accidental falls can be greatly decreased. We would also like to be able to recognize individuals by scanning an IC card and enable it to support a billing system for purchases and paid content." Mr.Miyake said.

• Just turn on the power and begin watching TV!
  Users can watch TV as soon as the power is turned on without having to wait for the computer to start up.
• Equipped with Windows computer functions
  Information terminal applications can be constructed using a computer-based development environment.
• Easy touch-screen operations
  In-hospital services can be provided by operating the touch-screen.