OhioHealth Doctors Hospital Advances Patient Care with Expansion of Smart Room Technology

As part of its long-term strategic plan to integrate innovative technologies across its facilities, OhioHealth is expanding its smart room initiative to enhance patient care and streamline hospital operations. Following the successful introduction of smart rooms at OhioHealth Pickerington Methodist Hospital in 2023, the next phase includes the implementation of 26 smart rooms on a Cardiovascular unit at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital.

“Bringing this technology to Doctors Hospital not only elevates the standard of patient care but also enables our associates to access critical information more efficiently,” said Lindsey Osting, president of OhioHealth Doctors Hospital. “Staff members are being trained on how to effectively use smart TVs, adhere to standardized workflows, and understand the purpose and benefits of each feature both for themselves and the patients they serve.”

OhioHealth is partnering with smart room company eVideon and telehealth solution provider Caregility. Features of the smart rooms include digital door signs equipped with color-coded indicators - such as yellow for fall risk - that communicate patient status to staff in real time. Inside, smart TVs provide patients with a virtual nurse, access to educational content and personalized care information, including medication lists, schedules, dietary guidelines, and more. In addition, patients can enjoy entertainment and relaxation options, connect with loved ones via video calls, and utilize translation services.

This advancement is a collaborative effort involving multiple departments across the organization, including product/user experience, information technology (IT), informatics, clinical operations, unit leaders, and supportive services such as environmental services and therapy teams.

“A key driver in the design of our smart rooms was balancing the integration of new technology to enhance safety and efficiency with the need for comfort, creating a space that feels more like home,” Erika Braun, OhioHealth advisor user experience/product design said. “The human experience was central. We wanted to transform the traditional clinical environment into a space that fosters both healing and relaxation.”

This initiative reflects OhioHealth’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the patient experience while empowering staff with the resources and information they need to provide exceptional care.

Osting provided insight to NBC4 on the functionality and benefits of the smart rooms. Click on the link below to view the full NBC4 story.