Digital twin technology has proven its value in manufacturing, where the use of connected technology to monitor performance, model processes, and optimize efficiency is already a mainstay of “Industry 4.0”. The link between the physical and virtual worlds is a key facet of this emerging manufacturing paradigm. Now, through the efforts of multi-disciplinary teams, hospitals are creating four-dimensional digital twins of patient care units. They’ve realized the value of running “what-if” scenarios for optimizing departmental operations.
A digital twin can help healthcare enterprises identify ways to enhance and streamline processes, improve patient experience, lower operating costs, and increase higher value of care. The digital twin creates models of physical spaces and processes. Then, cost and quality optimization parameters are examined and ultimately selected based on the insights gained from simulations leveraging the digital twin. Digital twins insights can be further enhanced with complimentary technologies like Real-Time Locating Systems (RTLS), which provide a robust data source and a means to test changes in layout, process, etc.
