“Super cool”nurse robot as a great assistant for doctors in Italy, ready to fight Covid-19

Tommy is the name of six robots used to help doctors and nurses care for coronavirus patients at the Circolo hospital in Varese, a city in the northern region of Lombardy in Italy.

Robot Tommy is placed next to the patient’s bed

Robot Tommy will be brought to care right next to the patient’s bed so that doctors can save others who are in more serious conditions. These robots are responsible for monitoring parameters from medical equipment in the room, then transferring the information directly to the hospital’s computer. The Tommy robot has a touch screen that allows the patient to record messages and send them to the doctor. Most importantly, the use of robots helps hospitals limit the number of doctors and nurses in direct contact with patients, thereby reducing the risk of infection.

“On the first day we used the robot, the patients did not respond, especially the elderly patients. But after explaining to them the goal of the hospital, everyone was very happy to use it.”

Patients can write messages to doctors on Tommy’s touch screen

In addition, the robot Tommy also helps the hospital limit the number of masks and protective gowns that must be used. “These days, all protective equipment is a scarce resource. Using robots has the added advantage that they never get exhausted,” Dr. Gianni Bonelli, the hospital’s director said.

The shortage of masks is one of the biggest problems that has rattled Italy’s national health system since the arrival of Covid-19. The National Commissioner for Emergencies said it would take Italy at least two months to produce and supply enough medical masks for hospitals.