From Robotic Assistance to Telemedicine: What to Expect at Samson Assuta Hospital in 5784

As we prepare to enter the new Jewish year 5784, Samson Assuta Hospital looks ahead at several innovations - in the hospital and the medical sphere.

Dr. Gil Levy, director of the Department of Medical Innovation, said the hospital's "medical sandbox" will be launched at total capacity by the end of next month.

A health sandbox offers a comprehensive set of resources to accelerate inventive solutions' development more efficiently and securely. It encompasses various components, such as synthetic health data resembling real-world scenarios.

The sandbox will include a new “control room," where all of the hospital's clinical, administrative and logistical functions will be managed.

"It's almost like a war room"

"It is almost like a war room, where the people who need it and are eligible to access it can get the information they need in real-time to make better decisions," Levy explained. “This will be game-changing from the point of view of research and development in the hospital and as far as innovation is concerned.”

In addition, both artificial intelligence and robotics will be incorporated in the hospital on a greater level in the coming year.

AI is already being implemented to carry out some hospital tasks. Assuta is collaborating with a generative AI company to develop new protocols and decision support systems that include AI.

"We are moving from standard research-based processes to decision-making processes based on machine learning and AI," Levy noted.

Prof. Michael Drexler, head of Orthopedics for Assuta, said he sees more robots in the operating room.

"The numbers will increase, and eventually, all patients will have robotic assistance during their surgery," Drexler said.

He said the most significant innovation is expected in the spine center, where robotic support in navigation is coming sometime in 2024.

Finally, Levy said there is going to be more home hospitalization.

"We are planning to increase the number of patients we can care for outside the hospital," Levy said. "Next year, remote treatments and telemedicine are expected to really take off."