Microsoft, GE HealthCare, and LG Electronics have recently partnered with a shared goal of supporting smart hospital constructions in South Korea. 

The trio have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate and contribute their respective expertise in medical equipment and medtech solutions, smart hospital operation solutions, and cloud and platforms. 

In particular, Microsoft Korea will help build a platform for utilising digital solutions, including AI algorithm models such as Azure OpenAI for hybrid cloud in healthcare, and Microsoft Teams for staff communications.

GE HealthCare will leverage its digital medical solutions, including medical equipment, command centres, and digital twin technology. 

LG Electronics, for its part, will provide smart hospital technologies, such as smart monitors, medical robots, displays and communication networks. 

Besides promoting the construction of smart hospitals, they will develop and propose joint operating models for next-generation medical equipment, AI medical solutions, and digitalisation of work. 

WHY IT MATTERS

The three technology powerhouses define a smart hospital as a "next-generation hospital where all data from hospital registration and imaging to diagnosis and post-monitoring are connected to streamline medical staff workflows and improve patient outcomes by increasing efficiency through networks such as cloud, AI, and IoT."

They noted how major hospitals in South Korea have led the adoption of smart hospital systems to improve operational efficiency and treatment outcomes.

THE LARGER TREND

EMR technology also underpins a smart hospital. Recently, HIMSS signed a MOU with the Korea Health Information Service, an agency under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, to promote the adoption of EMRs across the country.

Another MOU, inked between GE HealthCare and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, aims to enable medical startups to develop applications by providing access to Edison, GE's AI-driven application hosting and data aggregation platform.

Meanwhile late last year, Korea University Anam Hospital tested LG Electronics' 5G technology in a proof of concept for digital healthcare implementation.