Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1421339
DRONES AS WORKFORCE EXTENDERS In 2020, Upstate launched the Air Upstate Consortium to test, develop and incorpo- rate drone technology into health care, first delivering COVID-19 testing kits between hospitals. This program received the first waiver ever given by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly over popu- lated areas and deliver medical supplies. " These f lights demonstrated t hat drone deliveries ca n be sca lable a nd economica lly viable, which positions Upstate and the central New York region to be nationally recognized leaders in the application of drone technology in health care," says Steve Roberts, Director of IMT Advanced Technologies at Upstate University Hospital. In addition to the drones performing deliveries, Roberts says the hospital is looking at small robots which could be used to deliver food, medications and other materials within the hospital. The efficiencies from robot technology would free up hea lthcare professiona ls who typically perform these duties to better utilize their skills toward other aspects of patient care. " For the past three years, in part out of necessity, Upstate has become a hotbed for innovation and creative thinking. Our work on data visualization and solutions, drones, chatbots, and even governance and portfolio management is driven by the creative minds at Upstate — and enabled by leadership that is unwilling to accept the status quo and strives to be a technology leader in academic medical centers." — STEVE ROBERTS, DIRECTOR OF IMT ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AT UPSTATE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL At a time when PPE and other supplies were scarce nationwide, Upstate implemented a plan for supply chain integrity to ensure their hospital was prepared, which continues today. Stephanie Shattuck, Associate Administrator for Support Services at Upstate University Hospital, says her team identified key products critical to the pandemic, including PPE, ventilators and other respiratory care supplies, and came up with a plan to maintain a 180-day supply. They built a safety stock to respond to volatility in the supply chain and used data visualization tools and dashboards that give real-time information on stock levels and immediate alerts when stock is low. They also acquired extra warehouse space to store additional inventory. M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S C E N T R A L N E W Y O R K ■ 2 0 21 0 9