It is possible to build an integrated system with existing equipment and software.
Establishing a solution that enhances not only energy savings but also operational efficiency and security management
Schneider Electric introduces solutions for building 'smart hospitals' in the healthcare market.

According to the 2016 energy consumption rankings for large buildings announced by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, large hospitals are included in the top 10. Due to high power consumption and the high likelihood of accidents caused by power outages or equipment failures being directly life-threatening, a stable energy supply is absolutely necessary.

In addition, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is impacting the medical field, and domestic hospitals are also engaging in convergence innovation to improve the quality of service by incorporating the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) into medical facilities.

Schneider Electric plans to expand its 'EcoStruxure™ for Healthcare' solution in the Korean market, which enables integrated management of all equipment and energy in medical facilities based on advanced Internet of Things (IoT) technology, a core technology of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

'EcoStruxure Healthcare' is not merely a facility management system, but a system optimized for hospitals. Admission, discharge, and HVAC systems can be controlled with a single click. From the moment a patient is admitted, the lighting and HVAC systems in their room operate automatically. Medical staff can reserve an operating room with a single click, automatically operate HVAC equipment, and control air, temperature, and humidity. All of these systems are housed within 'EcoStruxure Healthcare'.

Furthermore, since it can be designed as a customized system considering the specific characteristics of the hospital facilities, it establishes a safe environment that medical staff and patients can trust, and can increase operational efficiency through energy savings and improved productivity.

In particular, by utilizing Wi-Fi and a Real-Time Location System (RTLS), it is possible to comprehensively track patient entry and location management, as well as the positions of everything from wheelchairs to various equipment, thereby protecting the hospital's assets and customers. It enables location tracking for dementia patients, newborns, infants, and children, allowing guardians to use the hospital with peace of mind.

'EcoStruxure Healthcare' is currently applied in Korea at Kyung Hee University Medical Center and Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, which is scheduled to open in 2019. It is also being implemented in leading medical institutions overseas, and a Real-Time Location System (RTLS) has been installed at Moorfields Eye Hospital in the UK. Hospital staff can visualize the location of necessary equipment within the hospital and track patients' waiting times and locations in real time. Consequently, patient service satisfaction has improved, along with enhanced work focus and efficiency among hospital staff.

"Currently, due to the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, there is a growing trend in Korea of smart hospitals attempting innovation through digital convergence," said Ahn Seung-kyung, Team Leader of the Building & IT Division at Schneider Electric Korea. "Schneider Electric's 'EcoStruxure Healthcare' was designed with hospitals in mind from the initial design stage, elevating the level of hospital facilities and systems and presenting a new model for state-of-the-art hospitals."