5G networks and telemedicine in Šebetov

Demographic changes are posing an increasing challenge to health and social care providers. An aging population and a growing number of clients with higher levels of care dependency place high demands on staff and the availability of health services.

• Shortage of specialist staff - Ensuring continuity of care is becoming increasingly difficult due to the low number of qualified staff.
• More demanding health needs of clients - older age and chronic diseases require more intensive monitoring and faster responses to changes in health status.

Transformation of social services - new models of care require innovative approaches to ensure effective and safe environments for clients.

The aim of the project is the implementation of a telemedicine solution with advanced 5G network infrastructure in the residential social service Social Services Šebetov. As part of the project activities, we have to responsibly select a suitable supplier of telemedicine solutions that will provide a technologically advanced and user-friendly system, feasibility study, implementation that will ensure smooth integration into the daily operation of the facility, monitoring of all steps and supplier solution and education of staff, users and their relatives.

Integrating digital technologies into social and health care allows 

• To quickly and accurately assess health status through remote monitoring.
• Instant data transfer to doctors and medical staff via 5G networks.
• Increased sense of security for clients and their families through continuous monitoring.
• Time savings and more efficient organization of the work of caregivers and health professionals.

How will the project work in practice?

• Health sensors and smart devices will continuously monitor key health indicators of clients, such as heart rate, and blood pressure, or monitor client falls.
• Measured data will be transmitted in real-time via the 5G network to doctors and caregivers.
• In the event of unusual readings or a sudden change in health status, it will be automatically assessed as a risk situation, allowing for a quick response by staff.
• Telemedicine consultations will reduce the need for physical visits to doctors, making it easier to organize care. Examination kits will be used to ensure full care, whereby a physical visit to the doctor will not be necessary, but all important indicators will be measured and the doctor will be able to evaluate them immediately. This will reduce treatment time and increase access to medical care.

This project is not only a technological innovation, but above all a way to better care, greater independence of clients, and a better quality of life in residential social services.

 Clients:

• Better access to health care and immediate response to changes in health status.
• Increased sense of security thanks to round-the-clock monitoring.
• Possibility of longer stays in social services without the need for hospitalization.
• Fewer transfers to hospitals and outpatient clinics.

Carers and health professionals:

• Clear and easily accessible data on clients' health status.
• Faster diagnosis and more effective care planning.
• Reduced burden and paperwork associated with routine checks.

Families and loved ones:

• Reassurance that their loved ones are safe.

The following key steps will be implemented within the project:

• Selection of a suitable telemedicine solution supplier - Ensuring a technologically advanced and user-friendly system.
• Development of a feasibility study - Verification of technical and operational feasibility of implementation.
• Deployment and testing of the telemedicine system - Ensuring smooth integration into the daily operation of the facility.
• Monitoring and evaluating benefits - Monitoring the effectiveness and benefits of telemedicine in real operation.
• Staff and user education - Training staff and informing clients of the system's capabilities. 

Funded by the European Union under the National Recovery Plan - Programme No.117D83 Recovery and Resilience Facility, Component: 1.4 Digital Economy and Society, Innovative Start-ups and New Technologies, Sub-Component: 1.4.1.6 Demonstration Projects for the Development of Applications for Cities and Industrial Areas (e.g. 5G), call number according to MS2014+: 31_23_087.