A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle that can be controlled remotely, or by means of specific programming using software and GPS to operate autonomously.
In the health industry, these devices have demonstrated great potential to transform and improve the quality of our healthcare. Drones reduce costs and provide a more efficient, accessible, and fair care, amongst other factors.
The Innovation Committee of the Department of Health noted the need to define the model for including drones into the Catalan Health System, and commissioned TIC Salut Social Foundation to design and model it. The following objectives were established under this framework:
- Identification of cases in which drones are applicable.
- Identification of the requirements for the implementation of solutions using drones in the health industry.
- Healthcare project creation using drones.
And the following work areas:
- Drone technology
- Airspace
- Regulatory framework
- Healthcare integration
Drone applications to health
Drone applications in the health industry are classified into three areas:
- Emergencies: medical supplies, communication resources, telemedicine solutions.
- Logistics: biological samples and tissues, pharmacological treatments, medical devices.
- Assistance: therapeutic support.
For more information, please check the report ‘Integration of Drones in the Healthcare Environment’ and the infographic ‘Application of drones in the health industry’.
Current projects
- Use case in Girona’s Healthcare Region:
Urgent logistical transport between the Sant Esteve d’en Bas Primary Healthcare Centre and the Hospital at Olot. The goals of this project are reducing transport time, help with healthcare at primary care centres, and avoid patient transfers. Potential flight issues, cost, efficiency, carbon footprint, and contractual model with necessary permits are analysed.
Finished projects
- Use case in the North Metropolitan Health Region:
Biological sample and medical equipment transport between the Sant Fost Primary Healthcare Centre and the Germans Trias Hospital. The goals of this project are to ensure quality of transported samples and avoid hemolysis, make quicker diagnosis at primary healthcare centres, and avoid patient transfers.
- Pilot test at Olot’s hospital
Biological sample transport from La Garrotxa Primary Healthcare Centre to the clinical laboratory at Olot’s hospital. The project goals were to verify that drone transport does not alter the quality of samples and to verify the advantages of using drones. You can check results of the test in this article.
Drones Work Group
The Drones Work Group is includes innovation leads at health organisations and entities, medical emergency system representatives as the flight operator, and ICT and drone technology experts.
Reference links
State Air Safety Agency (AESA in Spanish)
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
You can find drone reference documents on this tab.