Healthcare organisations are using digital technologies to create more efficient, sustainable, and patient-focused facilities. Dr Janina Beilner, Senior VP for Healthcare at Siemens, and lecturer in AI and Digitalisation in Healthcare at Friedrich-Alexander University, Nürnberg, in Germany, argues that integrating AI, digital twins, and smart infrastructure is essential for transforming hospitals into resilient, intelligent environments that optimise both operational efficiency and patient care.
As someone who has spent years working at the intersection of healthcare and technology, I've witnessed firsthand the extraordinary challenges facing the sector. There are three megatrends that I would like to highlight as they are reshaping healthcare delivery: Sustainability, digitised operations, and staff productivity. Among these, sustainability stands as one of the most pressing concerns. Healthcare facilities are some of the most energy intensive buildings in the world, operating around the clock with complex life-support systems, advanced medical equipment and stringent environmental controls that can never be compromised.
The statistics are both sobering and motivating — healthcare facilities contribute approximately 5 per cent of global CO2 emissions. Yet within this challenge, I see unprecedented opportunity for transformation through digitalisation — one that I believe will define the future of healthcare delivery.
We're at a pivotal moment where healthcare organisations must reimagine their approach to infrastructure management. The integration of digital technologies isn't just about sustainability, it's about creating resilient, efficient healthcare environments that can better serve patients while reducing operational costs.
Log in or register FREE to read the rest
This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text.
If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
