Innovative $22 million HIVE remote monitoring of patients begins

  • New $22 million service will remotely monitor patients in selected hospital ward beds at Royal Perth and Armadale hospitals
  • HIVE clinicians will be alerted to early signs of clinical deterioration and will work with ward-based staff through audiovisual technology to improve patient outcomes
  • The RPH-based service will start with 50 beds being monitored and run 24/7 
  • Health Minister Roger Cook today officially opened the new Health in a Virtual Environment (HIVE) patient monitoring innovation inside the Royal Perth Hospital Command Centre.

    The $22 million HIVE is an East Metropolitan Health Service-driven initiative that uses artificial intelligence and technology to continuously track and monitor a patient’s condition.

    HIVE clinicians are alerted when a monitored patient displays early signs of clinical deterioration. Once alerted, clinicians use the patient’s information, data analytics tools and clinical systems to support and collaborate with the ward-based clinical teams using two-way audio and video to respond appropriately.

    In its first year, HIVE will monitor 50 beds across 11 different wards at Royal Perth and Armadale hospitals. The HIVE will be staffed by one clinician and two nurses continuously, operating 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

    The service will have a wide range of benefits to the health system including reducing the length of stay for patients located in monitored beds, reducing hospital readmissions and reducing the number of patient transfers from Armadale to Royal Perth hospitals. This ultimately improves the patient experience, staff experience and has substantial financial benefits.

    By using digital technologies to deliver safe and more efficient care, the service highlights the State Government’s ongoing commitment to providing incredible health care for all Western Australians.

    As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:

    “The McGowan Government has a strong commitment to encouraging investment in innovation to improve the future health of all Western Australians.

    “The Sustainable Health Review highlighted the need to invest in digital healthcare to transform and improve the quality of care for Western Australians, and the HIVE is a great example of that investment in action.

    “The HIVE will revolutionise the way we deliver health care in WA, and will also provide ongoing opportunities for research involving artificial intelligence and data analytics to ensure WA researchers are at the forefront.

    “The HIVE also represents a major opportunity for WA researchers and innovators to become world leaders in the development of biotechnology and AI assisted healthcare delivery.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.