The Hospital Robot

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello =)

Today in my class a fellow student presented an article about the "Tug". Apparentely released three years ago or so it is now working in over 50 hospitals:

http://www.aethon.com/products/logistics.php

I was just wondering as a student which nurses have come into contact with this robot and what their opinions are of it. Also, what is your opinion on the increase of technology in the medical field such as the Tug? Is it a huge improvement, or is there some drawbacks to it?

Thanks so much for reading/responding:nurse:

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Specializes in PICU now, Peds and med-surg in the past.

We have something similar but not identical where I work. I don't see it much because smaller items are delivered to us via pneumatic tube system but I do see it on occasion. I think it's a great concept. I will never forget my first run in with one of our robots, CHAD (it stands for something, don't remember what though). I had just started at this hospital about 2 years ago and the doors to our locked unit swung open and in "walked" CHAD. He/it stopped directly in front of my and a LOUD voice started saying over and over "your delivery has arrived" and I had no clue how to open the thing. I found myself talking to the thing "I don't know how to help you" haha..... So finally a coworker came by laughing her ass off at me and showed me what to do. The robot then said "thank you", turned around and left. It was almost cute when the robot left the unit and the other robot was just outside the door waiting for it. Together they cut someone off to get into an empty elevator (they will only ride alone, no humans) and off they went like some strange couple haha....

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Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg/Oncology.

We have it at where I work. IMHO it's only as good as the human working in central supply that day. Sometimes it's awesome b/c if there's only one person working down there, they can still get your equipment to you. If it's someone that's going to blow it off, then they're not going to load things on the TUG anymore than they would bring things to you if it means making an effort on their parts.

So . . . . for the million plus price tag, I don't think it's worth it. That money plus whatever they pay for a service contract could be utilized better elsewhere.

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We have a robot at the hospital where I work, I have never had to interact with it, but pass it in the hallways. It is always funny to see it going around. I think the patients are always confused when they see it.

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.
It was almost cute when the robot left the unit and the other robot was just outside the door waiting for it. Together they cut someone off to get into an empty elevator (they will only ride alone, no humans) and off they went like some strange couple haha....

that's super cute. I want a robot couple to roam our halls :redpinkhe

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Yes, we use TUG for our surgical path specimens (the perm ones, not for micro or frozens). He is rather rude, and we make fun of him sometimes, but I guess he is worth the millions of dollars...ya think that is why we didn't get raises this year? The patients like to watch him roll past.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
that's super cute. I want a robot couple to roam our halls :redpinkhe

At my hospital, there is a husband/wife surgical team that qualifies...

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

I used to work with "Rex" who would deliver for the pharmacy. He looked almost identical to "Tug". I always found that it was a great source of joy for families and patients to see the robot rolling down the hall. Especially around the holidays when the pharmacy staff would put season appropriate hats on him.

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