A digital hospital is not a single “magic” application, but an interconnected ecosystem of data, processes, and technologies. Representatives of hospitals from Prague, Martin, and Banská Bystrica agreed that without clear standards, a strategy, and a strong IT foundation, it won’t work. At the same time, digitalization is changing the way work is done – and that is often the biggest challenge.
A Digital Hospital: More Than Applications
The core is collecting and connecting all relevant data: about patients, staff, technologies, and the processes themselves. It only makes sense when there are shared standards, methodologies, and direction from the state—for example, in telemedicine. Hospitals can then know which solutions are worth building and how to integrate them into existing systems.
In practice today, a lot of “bells and whistles” are arriving—interesting partial innovations that are hard to connect to legacy hospital systems. A modern integration platform is therefore key, one that securely links various data sources without having to change the entire information system. Some hospitals are using funds from the recovery plan for this, so they can scale and plug in new solutions.
Building Digitally: BIM, Energy, and Sharing
When constructing new pavilions, experts emphasize BIM—a digital building model in which changes are reflected across all layers of the project. This helps manage frequent adjustments, plan operations, simulate energy demand, and meet environmental requirements. One example is the oncology center in Prague, where BIM is required already in the tender so that the model fits into the hospital’s IT environment.
However, digitalization is not just about walls and cables, but also about how spaces and devices are shared across specialties. This calls for new rules and changes in routines that teams are not always used to. An inspiring practice comes from Denmark: tracking devices with sensors and allocating them via an app, so the staff doesn’t search for equipment but gets it quickly to the required location.
Data, Interoperability, and People
Hospitals work with data not only for reporting but also to improve outcomes. Internal benchmarks—for example, comparing open versus minimally invasive surgeries—can clearly show what works better. The obstacles are often the closed nature of vendor systems and legislation, which is why pressure is mounting for open interfaces and interoperability.
It was also noted that there is a shortage of specialists who would create new solutions—not only maintain the existing ones. Grants, “digital blueprints,” and systematic gap analyses help: where we are, where we want to go, and which technologies make long-term sense. Digital pathology, imaging technologies, and fully digital laboratories have promise, but the added value must be felt by both patients and staff.
