Field Hospitals: From Car Parks to Cardiac Care in 24 Hours
So, picture this: a major flood – you know, the kind that even public services could only dream of when it comes to convincing the world they’re “prepared.” Suddenly, Roazhon Park’s car park is less “car park” and more “field hospital” within a mere 24 hours. A round of applause, please, for the Rennes University Hospital and the bcom Technological Research Institute (IRT)! Amidst onlookers scratching their heads in confusion and probably wondering if they stumbled into a sci-fi film set, this ambitious transformation took place on November 20.
Now, don’t be fooled by that humble setup of just four beds. This mobile intensive care unit came with a VIP pass thanks to its direct connection to the CHU information system—yes, folks, we’re talking about a private, compact 5G network by the clever start-up Obvios, a subsidiary of bcom. It’s like a hospital room, but instead of flowers and “Get Well Soon” balloons, it’s powered by technology that’s faster than my morning coffee run!
“Even outside the walls, we must be able to relocate our digital solutions to guarantee that care is maintained,” explain Philippe Cozic and Arnaud Coursin, engineers at the University Hospital.
Ah, the wisdom of engineers! It’s not just about distance; it’s about digital agility. What’s the point of having fancy equipment if the doctors can’t even find the nearest Wi-Fi hotspot? This project was a logistical ballet, initiated as part of a larger commitment to adapt healthcare practices to the cold, hard realities of nature—because if 2020 taught us anything, it’s that disaster doesn’t make appointments.
The standout feature? The Human Pose device—yes, that’s right! Not just a fancy name for a yoga retreat but a technology that uses connected cameras to monitor patients’ movements. It’s about making sure that even amid chaos, folks in intensive care aren’t mistaken for extras in a low-budget horror film. “In a crisis situation, we must be able to work as if we were in a hospital, with full access to our tools and optimal patient monitoring,” explains Dr. Adel Maamar, who is clearly not someone you want to argue with after a bad day in intensive care.
This amazing feat is the result of a convergence of experts—from clinicians to biomedical professionals, all coming together like the Avengers of modern medicine. Since 2022, they have been playing with the idea of a connected ambulance and even a wireless operating room. Who knew healthcare could sound more like a tech conference agenda? Now, with all this revolutionary tech, we might just be heading towards a future where doctors can do their rounds with a tablet in one hand and a coffee in the other—oh wait, they’re already doing that!
This innovative trial was part of the Engage 5G & Beyond project, financed by France 2030. And just like that, the future of healthcare looks less like a queue at A&E and more like a seamless operation of interactive medicine ready to handle crises with the grace of a ballet dancer. Here’s to hoping we’ll soon take patient care to such dizzy heights that even the most hardened sceptic will be impressed. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility—and hopefully fewer hospital parking lot transformations at the expense of a flood!
In the aftermath of a devastating flood, which local public services had anticipated, the Roazhon Park car park underwent an astonishing transformation into a fully operational field hospital within a mere 24 hours. This remarkable achievement was spearheaded by the Rennes University Hospital in collaboration with the bcom Technological Research Institute (IRT) on Wednesday, November 20, captivating the attention of numerous curious onlookers as they witnessed the rapid deployment of medical infrastructure.
The makeshift intensive care unit, equipped with four hospital beds, was seamlessly integrated into the CHU information system through a state-of-the-art private, compact 5G network engineered by Obvios, a promising start-up that operates under the bcom umbrella. “One of the primary challenges we faced was ensuring the real-time transfer of critical medical data between the field hospital and the Rennes University Hospital,” said Éric Gatel, project coordinator at bcom, highlighting the complexities involved in such swift operations.
“Even outside the walls, we must be able to relocate our digital solutions to guarantee that care is maintained,” assert Philippe Cozic and Arnaud Coursin, both engineers at the University Hospital, emphasizing the importance of innovation in emergency medical responses.
During this pivotal operation, the bcom device known as Human Pose proved to be instrumental. This advanced technology, which assesses and analyzes patient movements via connected cameras, ensured ongoing surveillance of individuals receiving care, even beyond the confines of the hospital. “In a crisis situation, we must operate as if we were in a hospital setting, maintaining full access to our medical tools and optimizing patient monitoring. This capability allows us to focus entirely on our primary mission: providing exceptional care,” explained Dr. Adel Maamar, an intensive care physician at Rennes University Hospital, noting the significance of their technological resources.
This groundbreaking initiative capitalizes on the collective expertise of a diverse group of professionals, including clinicians, e-health engineers, biomedical specialists, and experts in extraordinary health scenarios. It represents the continuation of experimental projects undertaken by bcom and the University Hospital since 2022, such as the development of connected ambulances and wireless operating rooms. This latest deployment signifies a pivotal advancement in leveraging technology to tackle health crises and foreshadows a future where interactive medicine can swiftly adapt to on-the-ground challenges. This innovative endeavor was conducted as part of the Engage 5G & Beyond project, with funding provided by France 2030.
How does the integration of devices like the Human Pose technology influence patient monitoring in emergency healthcare settings?
**Interview: Transforming Car Parks into Cardiac Care with Éric Gatel**
*Host*: Welcome, everyone! Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Éric Gatel, the project coordinator at bcom, who played a pivotal role in the transformation of Roazhon Park’s car park into a fully operational field hospital following the devastating flood. Thank you for joining us, Éric!
*Éric Gatel*: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
*Host*: Let’s dive right in. Can you paint a picture of what it was like to transition from a car park to a field hospital in just 24 hours?
*Éric Gatel*: Certainly! It was nothing short of remarkable. The urgency created by the flood meant that we had to act fast. We had a dedicated team from the Rennes University Hospital and bcom working around the clock. From setting up medical beds to ensuring we had the necessary infrastructure for patient monitoring, it felt like we were in the midst of an intricate dance of logistics and technology.
*Host*: Speaking of technology, the integration of a 5G network was crucial for this operation. How did that come into play?
*Éric Gatel*: Absolutely. The 5G network developed by Obvios allowed us to seamlessly connect the makeshift intensive care unit with the CHU information system. This was vital for the real-time transfer of medical data, ensuring our doctors could access patient information swiftly. Without this connectivity, we would’ve faced significant delays in patient care.
*Host*: That sounds like a major achievement! There was also mention of the Human Pose device – how does that enhance patient monitoring in a field hospital setting?
*Éric Gatel*: The Human Pose technology employs connected cameras to track patient movements, which is particularly essential in intensive care. It ensures we maintain optimal patient monitoring, even in chaotic environments. As Dr. Adel Maamar wisely said, we must operate as if we’re in a stable hospital, ensuring all necessary tools are at our disposal.
*Host*: It’s incredible how swiftly technology has advanced in the healthcare sector. Do you believe this operation will pave the way for more integrated, tech-savvy healthcare solutions in the future?
*Éric Gatel*: Absolutely! This operation was part of the Engage 5G & Beyond project and demonstrated how flexible and responsive healthcare can be. The collaboration of clinicians and biomedical professionals has been key. It’s certainly a glimpse into a future where we can utilize technology to respond to emergencies more effectively.
*Host*: Last but not least, with all this innovative technology, what are the responsibilities that come with it?
*Éric Gatel*: With great power comes great responsibility indeed. It’s crucial that we harness these technologies ethically and ensure they are accessible when needed most—especially in crisis situations. Our priority is always to improve patient care while being mindful of the challenges these innovations can introduce.
*Host*: Thank you, Éric, for sharing your insights. It’s inspiring to see how innovation can transform challenges into opportunities in healthcare!
*Éric Gatel*: Thank you for having me! Let’s hope this is just the beginning of how technology can enhance patient care in any setting.
*Host*: And to our audience, thank you for tuning in! Stay connected with us for more enlightening conversations on the future of healthcare.
