KITAKYUSHU ― Working toward a resolution of a serious manpower shortage at nursing care centers, moves to utilize advanced technologies, which include artificial intelligence, robots and mixed reality (MR), are starting to take hold.
Advice to caregivers
The percentage of the population in Kitakyushu city aged 65 and older was 30.5% as of the end of March 2019, the largest figure in the government-designated 20 major cities.
The city has been striving to develop leading-edge technology for introduction into the nursing care sector since 2016, when it was designated as a national strategic special zone for enhancing industry efficiency.
Taking the lead in research and development is the Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech). The university opened a facility specializing in research of digital technology related to nursing care in October 2018.
Prof. Tomohiro Shibata, an expert in robotics who serves as representative of the facility, has been developing a system to advise caregivers on proper posture by making use of motion analysis technology called "motion capture" and MR technology.
MR is technology designed to fuse reality with three-dimensional computer graphics. Once a goggle-type display is fitted, it is possible to see computer graphics in landscapes visible in actuality.
Caregivers affix accelerometers to 17 points along the body of residents in advance. Based on the information obtained from the accelerometers, the computer analyzes posture of the caregivers and issues warnings when they are in positions that are likely cause injuries.
Evaluation of posture is made based on the Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS) developed in Finland. Body positions are evaluated based on such elements as the body's center of gravity, the positional relationships of the arms and shoulders and direction of the hips, with posture evaluated in grades ranging from 1 (no problem) to 4 (very harmful, requiring immediate correction).
When caregivers are observed through MR technology-installed goggles, evaluation grades are displayed on the screen. This makes it possible to offer immediate advice. Prof. Shibata said his hope is to see the system "used at such occasions as seminars to reduce the number of people who suffer injuries."
Relief via automated records
The Kitakyushu city-based "Sawayaka Club," which operates nursing homes nationwide, has been conducting experimental projects to reduce the burden of nursing care by working together with Kyutech to record personal data.
Nursing care facilities log all medical-related records in daily business diaries that include information ranging from meals, baths and rehabilitation to bowel movements, noting the times when these activities and services take place. Recording this data manually places heavy responsibilities on caregivers.
In cooperation with Kyutech, the company has introduced a smartphone app that can log the content of nursing and other services.
Data collected in February by accelerometers placed inside smartphones along with medical records are analyzed via AI to make it possible to automatically log the details of care provided based on estimated values.
Caregivers must verify whether AI-processed records are correct, but given the time and labor saved, they are in turn afforded the latitude to log minutes on matters that can include the subject matter of conversations with the residents and their demeanor.
An analysis of minutes spent on recording the data reportedly showed that time devoted to that task dropped from a previous span of 58 minutes to about 24 minutes.
"If the time saved on logging data ― even as low as 20 to 30 minutes ― is used for communication with residents, it will greatly enhance the quality of nursing care services," said 42-year-old Masahiro Ishimoto, administrative manager of the Sawayaka Club.
The city has been holding technical workshops for nursing care staff, giving its members instructions on how to use robots and other equipment for to assist ambulatory movements.
"To address the shortage of nursing care staff, it is also necessary to rely on state-of-the art technology," said a municipal government official in charge of promoting advanced nursing care systems. The city aims to circulate its undertaking nationwide as a "Kitakyushu model."
According to a report compiled by the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry in 2016, nursing care industry will have a shortage of 680,000 staffers by 2035. The ministry backs up development of devices, saying, "Of this figure, a shortage of 510,000 can be handled by reducing working hours and the burden of caregivers through the introduction of equipment and IT technologies."
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry carried out a project in the current fiscal year to examine the effects of already-marketed advanced devices in nursing care entities of seven local governments, including that of Fukushima Prefecture.
In Fukushima Prefecture, a device that predicts bowel movements and other equipment have been introduced. The device anticipates the time bowel movements take place based on information obtained through a sensor affixed to the body of residents, and conveys it to a nursing care staffer.
In Kanagawa Prefecture, care plans have been developed through the use of AI and personnel training, through the use of a smartphone app in which video puts the movements of veteran caregivers has been adopted.
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