The system, which has been developed by the Product Development Technology Station (PDTS) based at the Central University of Technology (CUT), was unveiled to much cheer at the hospital on Thursday 10 October.

PDTS manager, Marinus Potgieter, says the system, also referred to as the Qbell system, will shed light on staff shortages, specifically of nursing personnel, helping to chart the way forward for the hospital.

For now, the system has only been rolled out in the spinal ward. Potgieter reveals they initially designed the bed management system at the behest of a client based in Port Elizabeth. He says they will keep a close eye on ways in which they will be able to improve the system for their client, who will license the product from CUT. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pelonomi, Baesi Ramodula, welcomes the introduction of the system in the ward. She is hopeful it will assist in improving the care given to patients.

When probed on the issue of staff shortages at this hospital, Ramodula says they have made some nursing appointments, but it is far from enough.

OFM News