CBSNews.com: Robots, Already in Hospitals, Are Ready to Roll in Other Industries

CBSNews.com recently interviewed David Marshall, JD, DNP, RN, senior vice president and chief nursing executive at Cedars-Sinai, and Melanie Barone, RN, MSN, an associate nursing director, about how robots are helping hospital staff with routine tasks, allowing them to spend more time focused on direct patient care.

Cedars-Sinai began using Moxi several years ago to assist with logistical work, such as moving linens, retrieving lab samples and medication, and transporting patient belongings.

Today, Cedars-Sinai uses three of the robots. Marshall told CBSNews.com the robots help nursing staff avoid time-consuming trips throughout the hospital to gather supplies and materials. He said the Moxi helpers have elicited “positive, emotional” responses from patients, staff, visitors and children.

“We had one patient that asked if Moxi could come back and tell her hello after her surgery,” Marshall said.

Barone told CBSNews.com the robots save valuable time.

“I don't have to go take my 10,000 steps down into the belly of the hospital to go find things and get it for my patient,” Barone said.

While robots can handle basic tasks, Marshall emphasized they have clear limitations and cannot replace the human touch essential to quality patient care.

“Robots touch things and people touch people,” he told CBSNews.com. “They could never hold a patient’s hand or wipe their brow or help them brush their teeth.”

Moxi robots are being used in more than two dozen hospitals across the U.S. Experts project that number will grow over the next 10 years, as the machines help fill workforce gaps in healthcare as well as agriculture, manufacturing and other industries.

Read the complete article from CBSNews.com.