Released 24/08/2018
The Centenary Hospital for Women and Children has welcomed ‘MEDiZen’, the first NAO humanoid robot with MEDi applications in a paediatric ward in Australia.
‘MEDiZen’ is programmed to help our youngest patients return to being fighting fit by calming and distracting them during medical procedures.
In welcoming ‘MEDiZen’ to the Centenary Hospital today, Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris said that the use of the technology was found to significantly improve the hospital experience for young patients.
“Providing clinical care to a child who is calm and more focused on the robot, rather than the medical procedure is less stressful for all,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“Coming into hospital, particularly for our youngest patients and their families, can be quite a daunting experience.
“We are very fortunate that the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children is the first paediatric ward in Australia to have a humanoid robot with these specialised applications designed to lift children’s spirits, provide a distraction and talk them through procedures.”
The robot, which runs the Medicine and Engineering Designing Intelligence (MEDi) software, was developed and tested at Alberta Children’s Hospital in Canada over a three year period.
Minister Fitzharris said the testing period had showed the MEDi robot changed the outlook of children on their hospital stays.
“Children who have had interaction with ‘MEDiZen’ usually leave the hospital setting chatting about the robot, rather than the procedure or appointment they may have had,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“Through this innovative new approach provided by ‘MEDiZen’, we want our youngest patients to have the most positive experience they can under difficult circumstances.”
The $25,000 purchase of the MEDi robot was made possible through a generous donation from the EVT (Event Hospitality and Entertainment) Charity Committee to the Canberra Hospital Foundation.
- Statement ends -
Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases
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