AI AND DIGITALISATION
From data to decisions: Smart hospital revolution
Healthcare organisations are using digital technologies to create more efficient, sustainable, and patient-focused facilities. Dr Janina Beilner, Senior VP for Healthcare at Siemens, and lecturer in AI and Digitalisation in Healthcare at Friedrich-Alexander University, Nürnberg, in Germany, argues that integrating AI, digital twins, and smart infrastructure is essential for transforming hospitals into resilient, intelligent environments that optimise both operational efficiency and patient care.
As someone who has spent years working at the intersection of healthcare and technology, I’ve witnessed firsthand the extraordinary challenges facing the sector. There are three megatrends that I would like to highlight as they are reshaping healthcare delivery: Sustainability, digitised operations, and staff productivity. Among these, sustainability stands as one of the most pressing concerns. Healthcare facilities are some of the most energy intensive buildings in the world, operating around the clock with complex life-support systems, advanced medical equipment and stringent environmental controls that can never be compromised. The statistics are both sobering and motivating –
healthcare facilities contribute approximately 5 per cent of global CO2 emissions. Yet within this challenge, I see unprecedented opportunity for transformation through digitalisation – one that I believe will define the future of healthcare delivery. We’re at a pivotal moment where healthcare
organisations must reimagine their approach to infrastructure management. The integration of digital technologies isn’t just about sustainability, it’s about creating resilient, efficient healthcare environments that can better serve patients while reducing operational costs.
Progress and potential Siemens’ latest research report, ‘Digital Transformation, Sustainable Returns: The New Pathway of Infrastructure’, offers insights into where the healthcare sector stands in its digital journey. The findings are encouraging – 58% of healthcare organisations consider themselves to be at a mature or advanced stage of development in the data-driven management of systems, resources and infrastructure. While this demonstrates significant progress from where we were just five years ago, I also see it as highlighting substantial opportunity for growth. The remaining 42% of organisations are still in the early stages of their digital transformation, representing a critical opportunity to accelerate adoption across our sector. The foundation of this transformation lies in integrating
Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) with building and medical infrastructure. Healthcare facilities have historically operated with siloed systems, but true smart hospitals require breaking down these barriers to create unified, intelligent ecosystems. For facilities and estate managers, this research validates
what many of you already know – that integrated, data- driven building management is now essential. If you’re part of the 58% already implementing digital solutions,
you’re positioned to benefit from the investment momentum building across the sector. If you’re in the 42% still working with legacy systems, the research shows overwhelming organisational support for catching up quickly. The breakdown of system silos represents a fundamental
shift in how hospital infrastructure can be managed. Instead of juggling multiple interfaces and reactive maintenance schedules, integrated digital platforms provide comprehensive visibility and predictive capabilities across all building systems.
Investing in productivity Our research reveals that 60% of healthcare organisations are planning to increase their investment in digital technologies in the next 12 months. This isn’t just wishful thinking – these are concrete budget allocations driven by compelling business cases. Healthcare leaders cite improved productivity (69%), enhanced energy efficiency (68%) and decarbonisation potential (63%) as primary drivers. This investment momentum creates unprecedented opportunities for estate management teams to secure funding for infrastructure upgrades. Leadership has already bought into the digital transformation narrative – improved productivity, enhanced energy efficiency and decarbonisation goals – so the opportunity is there to translate this high-level commitment into practical building management solutions. When presenting proposals, it is a good idea to consider framing requests around these proven organisational priorities. While smart hospital benefits are clear, the financial investment can seem daunting. Specialised healthcare financing solutions can enable the transformation. Unlike traditional capital funding, smart healthcare finance
January 2026 Health Estate Journal 73
Italy’s IRCCS Hospital Galeazzi-Sant’Ambrogio shows how real-time data collection and advanced monitoring systems provide hospital managers with comprehensive operational views that enable informed decisions.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
