Automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) for transportation of food and materials in hospitals

Fatin NM, Junainah S
Record ID 32018001263
English
Authors' objectives: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, cost-effectiveness and organisational issues related to AGVs for transportation of food and materials in hospitals.
Authors' results and conclusions: There was very limited evidence to suggest AGVs have the potential to reduce labour man-hour and healthcare staff workload when compared to manual process. However, the effect was found to be less when compared to RFID alone. In terms of safety, evidence suggests that AGV was able to avoid collision with static and moving objects. The cost-analysis suggests the use of AGV alone was expensive. However, combination of AGV with RFID were found to be cost saving compared to manual process. Handling of AGV system in healthcare facilities require proper training, expertise and knowledge.
Authors' recommendations: Based on the above review, AGV for transportation of food and material is not recommended to be used since the requirements does not align with the existing hospital structure while cost is also an issue.
Authors' methods: Electronic databases were searched through the Ovid MEDLINE(R) In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Ovid MEDLINE(R) 1946 to Present EMBASE - 1996 to August 2019, Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Daily 1946 to February 07, 2020, Ovid MEDLINE(R) and In Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations 1946 to February 07, 2020, Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non Indexed Citations and Daily 2015 to February 07, 2020, Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non Indexed Citations and Daily - without Revisions 2015 to February 07, 2020, Ovid MEDLINE(R) 1946 to January Week 5 2020, Ovid MEDLINE(R) without Revisions 1996 to January Week 5 2020, Ovid MEDLINE(R) Epub Ahead of Print February 07, 2020, Ovid MEDLINE(R) Daily Update February 07, 2020, Ovid MEDLINE(R) 2015 to January Week 5 2020. Searches were also run in PubMed. Google was used to search for additional web-based materials and information. Additional articles were identified from reviewing the references of retrieved articles. Last search was conducted on 11th February 2020.
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: https://www.moh.gov.my/index.php/database_stores/store_view/30?mid=609
Year Published: 2020
URL for published report: https://www.moh.gov.my/index.php/database_stores/store_view_page/30/343
Requestor: Ministry of Health
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Mini HTA
Country: Malaysia
MeSH Terms
  • Food Dispensers, Automatic
  • Food Service, Hospital
  • Automation
Contact
Organisation Name: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment
Contact Address: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Federal Government Administrative Centre, Level 4, Block E1, Parcel E, 62590 Putrajaya Malaysia Tel: +603 8883 1229
Contact Name: htamalaysia@moh.gov.my
Contact Email: htamalaysia@moh.gov.my
Copyright: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.