TECHNOLOGY
Martín Bentolila
Architect, Martín Bentolila, graduated from Universidad de Buenos Aires in 2016 with a Masters in Hospital Architecture, and from Alebat Education and Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia in 2023. Currently working as an architect at a|sh Sander Hofrichter Architekten in Hannover, Germany, he has over 10 years’ experience in the planning and design of healthcare facilities in the public and private sectors in Argentina and Germany, having worked on facilities including Sanatorio Altos de Salta in Argentina, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, and St. Bernward Krankenhaus in Hildesheim in Germany.
to reducing operational costs, making healthcare more accessible and efficient for patients. In conclusion, technology continues to be a pivotal factor in the evolution of hospital design and operations. From AI system implementation to the promotion of hospital-at-home concepts, these advances are actively reshaping the healthcare sector to ensure more effective, efficient, and patient-centered care. The implementation of advanced technologies in
hospitals is revolutionising healthcare, and improving the efficiency of healthcare systems. Some of the advancements currently in trial phase that will have an impact in the future include AI, virtual surgery, assistive robots, and nanotechnology. Their development will enhance healthcare quality by reducing operational costs and increasing the efficiency and sustainability of healthcare systems. These advancements must be implemented ethically, and complement human clinical judgement, to ensure effective and humane medical care.
AI in medicine AI’s use in the healthcare field has significantly grown, especially in areas such as diagnosis and treatment, research, telemedicine, and health management. Adaptive AI systems in healthcare use machine learning algorithms to analyse large volumes of health data, and generate personalised predictive and recommendation models. Examples of such systems include IBM’s Watson Health, Google’s DeepMind Health, and Suki AI. In medical diagnosis, AI can assist doctors in analysing images and electronic records, offering personalised therapies based on patients’ medical histories. AI will also increasingly be used in hospital architectural documentation, with models like OpenAI’s DALL-E2 generating realistic images from textual descriptions, aiding in visualisation and hospital structure design.
The use of technology has brought about significant changes in medicine, both in medical procedures and processes and administrative procedures.
Virtual surgery This innovation utilises simulation technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and 3D physical models, to create environments where surgical procedures can be practiced before performing them on real patients. Virtual surgery aids in procedure planning and simulation of complex surgeries, and improves precision – contributing to more professional healthcare. It also enables remote studies and participation in seminars without the need for travel.
Assistive robots Assistive robots assist healthcare professionals in various tasks, from direct patient care to medical equipment
management. They can collaborate in physical and occupational therapy, transport medications and supplies within the hospital, and assist patients by monitoring vital signs. Although currently costly, and not accessible to all populations, robots can enhance the efficiency and quality of healthcare. However, it is crucial to use them ethically to avoid the dehumanisation of medical care.
Nanotechnology This technology has the potential to revolutionise medicine by interacting with the body at molecular and cellular levels. Nanomedicine offers alternatives for monitoring, control, construction, repair, and enhancement of human biological systems. It enables the creation of highly sensitive biosensors for early disease detection and controlled drug delivery, improving treatment efficacy and safety. Nanotechnology is also used in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases through genetic and protein therapies.
Conclusions Technology in the hospital setting significantly improves patient care and optimises time management, while transforming healthcare building, planning, and construction. It has replaced manual processes with more effective approaches, curing and preventing diseases. However, it is crucial that its adoption is not solely driven by commercial benefits, but instead responds to real needs, and enhances the quality of care. Artificial intelligence will play a crucial role in
healthcare, impacting both patient care processes and architectural documentation for future construction work. Many jobs are likely to be replaced by technology, leading to economic and time savings. It is thus essential for new generations and the current workforce to be trained with advanced technological foundations to efficiently integrate into the job market, both in the medical and construction fields. Technology has enabled the development of new treatments and cures, positively impacting life expectancy. However, it raises ethical and political issues, particularly in terms of human rights and public policies. It is crucial to ensure equitable access to new treatments and technologies, protect the privacy of medical information, and address inequalities in healthcare. Political leaders and decision-makers must engage in creating public policies that address these issues and promote fair and equitable healthcare for all.
References 1 Wolper LF. Health Care Administration: Managing Organized Delivery Systems. 5th edn. ISBN: 9780763757915. 2011.
2 Robles González E, García Benavides F, Bernabeu Mestre J. Health transition in Spain from 1900 to 1990 [In Spanish]. Rev Esp Salud Pública 1996: 70 (2): 221-33.
3 Giménez ME, Vazquez AG, Yanes N. Image-guided surgery [In Spanish]. 2020
4 Elghamrawy SM, Hassan MK, El Desouky AI, Sarhan AM. Big Data Challenges and Opportunities in Healthcare Informatics and Smart Hospitals. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-01560-2_1. 2018.
5 Gordon R, Perlman M, Shukla M. The hospital of the future. How digital technologies can change hospitals globally [In Spanish]. Deloitte. 2020.
Acknowledgement n This article, titled ‘Technology in hospital: past, present
and future’, first appeared in the IFHE Digest 2025. HEJ thanks the author, the IFHE, and the Digest’s Editor, Matt Seex, for allowing its re-publication here.
34 Health Estate Journal May 2025
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