TECHNOLOGY
Specialisation and flexibility:
Technology has driven greater integration and specialisation in hospital design, promoting specialised medicine and the development of outpatient-oriented hospitals. This has led to a redistribution of medical services where outpatient care and primary medicine have gained ground over traditional hospitalisation. This reorganisation has not only optimised resource use but also reduced costs within healthcare systems. Hospital-at-home: Technological
advancements have facilitated the delivery of medical services in patients’ homes, complementing traditional hospital care. This involves effective coordination with general hospitals and telemedical support for clinical information management over the internet. Standardised home care ensures adequate quality of care and greater patient safety. The hospital of the future may look significantly different from today’s hospital. Rapidly evolving technologies, increasing consumerism, along with demographic and economic changes, are expected to reshape hospitals worldwide. An increasing number of inpatient healthcare services are shifting towards home and outpatient centres; however, complex and critically ill patients will continue to require acute hospital services.5
Impact of AI
Advanced hospital management: AI is being used to enhance energy efficiency and resource management in hospitals. Through machine learning algorithms, AI optimises HVAC systems, lighting, and other environmental aspects based on variables like outdoor temperature, humidity, and building occupancy. This not only reduces operational costs but also improves occupant comfort and safety.
Security and monitoring: AI systems enable early detection of issues such as fires, gas leaks, or intrusions in hospitals. Additionally, AI can monitor and analyse the building’s energy consumption, identifying areas for improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Improving healthcare quality The implementation of advanced technologies has facilitated the integration of sophisticated medical equipment, creation of more flexible spaces, and significant improvement in communication and connectivity among healthcare professionals. These advancements have streamlined hospital processes and contributed to reducing operational costs, making healthcare more accessible and efficient for patients. In conclusion, technology continues to
24 WhatsApp Zoom
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0 Platform 14 (12.1%) 20 40 60 Survey 5. Survey to patients in Argentina (Own elaboration, 2023). 80 45 (38.8%) 66 (56.9%) 61 (52.6%)
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be a pivotal factor in the evolution of hospital design and operations. From AI systems implementation to the promotion of hospital-at-home concepts, these advances are actively reshaping the healthcare sector to ensure more effective, efficient, and patient-centred care.
Projected future advances 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 has significantly
grown in the healthcare field, 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 amounts of
2 3 Survey 6. Survey to patients in Germany (Own elaboration, 2023).
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. 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: These robots assist
healthcare professionals in various tasks, from direct patient care to medical equipment management. They can collaborate in physical and occupational
IFHE DIGEST 2025 4 Platform 2 (25%) 5 (62.5%) 5 (62.5%) 5
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