Driving innovation in health with drone technology
The TIC Salut i Social Foundation works to promote the integration of drone technology within the Catalan healthcare system, promoting new models of healthcare logistics, emergency support and healthcare innovation.
Since 2023, it has coordinated the Drones in Health Working Group, formed by representative entities of the Catalan healthcare ecosystem, with the aim of defining strategies, use cases and implementation models for the technology.
In order to facilitate this deployment, the TIC Salut i Social Foundation provides an interactive map to visualize all the relevant geographic data in the planning of possible routes, use cases and needs of the territory.
Strategic lines
Drone technology and platforms
Identification of the technical characteristics necessary for the use of drones in healthcare environments and evaluation of the different platforms available.
Airspace and operations
Analysis of the agents involved in drone operations and definition of the operational models necessary to guarantee their safe and efficient implementation.
Regulatory framework
Monitoring of aeronautical, data protection and communications regulations that affect the use of drones in the healthcare field.
Observatory and dissemination
Identification of national and international use cases and promotion of initiatives developed in Catalonia.
Use cases and pilots
Definition, execution and evaluation of pilot projects that allow the validation of the technology and progress towards its integration within SISCAT.
Areas of action
Healthcare Logistics
Development of healthcare transport services with drones for the movement of biological samples, medication, blood, organs and other clinical materials.
Emergencies
Application of drones in healthcare emergency situations to support healthcare teams, improve operational coordination and facilitate access to areas with difficult coverage.
Healthcare Innovation
Research into new healthcare uses of drones, including rehabilitation applications, clinical support and internal logistics within healthcare centers.
Featured projects
Completed
Transport of biological samples in La Garrotxa – More information
Pilot project aimed at validating the use of drones for the transport of biological samples between healthcare facilities in rural areas.
Healthcare transport in the Northern Metropolitan Area – More information
Pilot experience in the transport of biological samples between healthcare centres in a suburban environment, with coordination between different operational agents.
Simulation of logistics corridors with drones
Project for the analysis and simulation of logistics routes to study the feasibility of healthcare transport with drones in different territories of Catalonia.
In progress
Drone Neurorehabilitation Platform
Research project aimed at developing new cognitive rehabilitation tools based on the interaction between patients and small drones.
Lleida and Pyrenees Health Corridors
Initiative to deploy health transport services with drones in areas of low population density and large geographical distances.
Ebro Drone Project
Development of a health logistics model with drones in Terres de l’Ebre to improve accessibility to health services.
Strategic initiatives
Drone Integration Report in the Health System: Key Areas for Territorial Deployment – More information
Strategic report that defines the methodology, analysis criteria and results used to guide the territorial deployment of drones in the Health system, identifying 10 key areas and 15 hospitals where it is most viable to initiate and facilitate deployment.
Map to facilitate the deployment of drones in the Health and Social Sector – More information
The map to facilitate the deployment of drones in the Health and Social Sector was developed in order to be able to analyze the geographic data and locations of the different infrastructures in the territory. The map is constituted as a dynamic and interactive analysis and visualization tool that allows you to choose which layers you want to show, how you want to show them and which characteristics of the territory you want to highlight. This dynamism allows you to simultaneously and visually compare different variables or indicators to identify specific use cases and needs of the entire territory to facilitate the deployment of drones in the Health and Social Sector.
Vertiport Strategy
The Foundation participates in the definition of the Catalan healthcare vertiport strategy, contributing to establishing technical and operational criteria for future infrastructures intended for drone operations. This task is led by the Department of Territory and the Digital Catalonia Alliance (DCA)
Governance and collaboration
The initiatives are developed in coordination with hospitals, primary care centers, emergency services, public administrations, universities and technology companies, promoting a shared vision on the integration of drone technology in healthcare.
