Standards Development

Scope

This document offers guidelines for the management of Healthcare Organizations, inclusive of healthcare suppliers and manufacturers of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). It is applicable when these organizations implement internal logistics in hospitals using AMRs. The document delineates the fundamental guidelines for the establishment and the operation of a Centralized Control System (CCS) required for AMR operation. It includes the key components necessary to ensure the safe and reliable logistics of pharmaceuticals within the hospital. The document encompasses the roles of the CCS in a unexpected functional failure response procedures, real-time monitoring information, managing hardware operation, communication targets, schedule management and task allocation, as well as record-keeping.

Purpose

Please refer to Annex 1. (Please use this field or attach an annex)

Urban hospitals of medium to large scale, especially those with more than 500 beds, are experiencing challenges in maintaining adequate staffing for shift work. This is primarily due to rising costs associated with non-medical personnel and current labor market shortages. The medical and support infrastructure in these hospitals is typically spread across multiple large buildings, which necessitates efficient logistics coordination to reduce human delivery traffic. A key logistics process in these laborintensive environments is the transport of medications from the central pharmacy to each ward within the hospital.

The use of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) for indoor automated logistics operations is becoming a standard method for alleviating the labor shortage. Concurrently, the integration of control systems for the efficient operation of AMRs is being recognized as an important element of automation. These systems facilitate seamless deliveries and usage by streamlining logistics processes. This not only ensures the provision of high-quality support for medical services but also contributes to the financial sustainability of healthcare institution management.

Many hospitals have attempted to use AMRs efficiently for various delivery tasks within the facility. However, most operational knowledge is based on empirical platforms due to the lack of available standards. In fact, some hospitals have developed their own technology without a standardized framework and have difficulties in sharing their experience with public. In this context, these standards shall serve as valuable guidance for hospital logistics stakeholders such as robot manufacturers, healthcare providers, and hospital management.

To manage in-hospital logistics processes through a Centralized Control System (CCS), numerous considerations such as the interface of the CCS, its management scope, communication methods, and operational personnel shall be addressed. Beyond these issues, a standardized framework for optimizing logistics processes, including delivery missions using the CCS, needs to be established.