Multimedia hospital bed in Martini hospital

Patients at the Martini hospital in Groningen have a somewhat more modern environment than patients elsewhere in the Netherlands: 180 beds in the brand new hospital are equipped with a touchscreen TFT monitor, microphone and headphones. This means they can use the internet, send e-mails, make calls, watch TV, listen to the radio and make use of the applications installed by the Martini hospital itself.

In fact this is a successor to the Clinic Lounge, which was introduced there in 2004. This enabled some dialysis and diabetes patients not only to use the internet in a separate area, which was already possible elsewhere, but also to build up their own medical file there or on a laptop and to keep in touch with fellow-sufferers. This system was also developed in partnership with KPN.

Integrated solution

The development of the multimedia hospital bed started when KPN and its partners initiated research into an integrated bedside telephone and TV system. The new product must be able to offer entertainment (TV and internet) and information, including explanatory brochures and videos, electronic medical files and whatever other information the hospital wishes to provide. Once the system is fully operational the patient will be able to order a movie and will even be able to view an X-ray while the doctor is explaining it.

The user-friendly applications mean that from the patient's hospital bed its clear how a particular function can be started. Everything is self-explanatory; very clear icons are used so that a minimum of translation is needed. The initial screen lists the options: Contact (telephone and internet), Entertainment (TV, radio and games) and Information (my hospital, my department and my medical information). The patient can do what he wants at his own convenience. KPN is already having talks with other hospitals about introducing this concept at other locations.