Overcome Hospital Management Challenges Using the Epson Connect API Report from LEOCLAN/Epson Ideathon

Overview

Joint LEOCLAN/Epson teams devised solutions to hospital management challenges using Epson Connect API
Outcomes rediscover the value that paper and Epson Connect API can bring to medical settings
Demonstrate the possibilities of cross-industry efforts

LEOCLAN/Epson Ideathon

At Epson, we believe in the ability of Epson Connect API to demonstrate its value in solving challenges in medical settings. All sorts of API applications are already emerging. Still, to accelerate the trend, we partnered with LEOCLAN Co., Ltd., a trading company specializing in medical equipment, to hold an ideathon on API-based solutions to hospital management challenges in early March.

What are the key points to using paper to solve hospital management challenges? And what advantages does an API bring? The participating members came up with various ideas. Let's start at the beginning of the event.

*Lean more about LEOCLAN Co., Ltd. at https://www.leoclan.co.jp/ (Japanese only)

Time to share inputs: learn about Epson Connect API and develop more profound ideas

First, the hosts greeted the teams and explained the purpose of the event, and then it was time to share inputs on the Epson Connect API. The hosts discussed Epson's efforts to co-create with its partners and gave an overview of Epson Connect API. They presented case studies of API usage in various industries, including medicine.

What is the Epson Connect API?
The Epson Connect API provides functions to control and execute printing processes through the Internet with printers and scanners connected to the Epson Connect cloud service.
Users can also print local files to a remote printer.

See https://openinnovation.epson.com/en/developer/ for more information about Epson Connect API.

Three mixed Epson/LEOCLAN teams, with 15 members in total, each with expertise in API and the problems of medical settings

The ideathon brought together three teams with a total of 15 members. LEOCLAN consulting, IT, and sales staff, each highly knowledgeable of some of the challenges in medical settings, combined with Epson members to form teams.

Members with different backgrounds bring their expertise to the brainstorming session and then present

After members shared their inputs, teams turned their attention to coming up with ideas. Team members brought their strengths and held lively discussions.

Presentations followed two hours of brainstorming. The leader of each team presented the ideas they ultimately arrived at and took questions.

The first team presented on enhancing ambulance coordination to increase the number of ambulance dispatches. Their solution tapped the advantages of the API: the ability to provide printed instructions remotely and simultaneous output to multiple locations. One comment on the presentation mentioned the possibility of using a similar solution for referrals from nursing homes and clinics.

The second team's presentation looked at strengthening nursing home collaboration to increase patient referrals. A digital/analog hybrid system with paper was devised to make it easier for people with less experience using digital devices.

The third team presented two ideas to close out the presentations. By now, the room was filled with excitement. The presentation addressed reducing physicians' workload by simplifying the communication of checkup results to family members. Comments focused on the potential of paper in an aging society.

Closing with general comments: "The next step is giving shape to your idea"

When the teams' presentations and Q&A sessions were over, it was time for the last part of the event: the reviewers' general comments. The reviewers thanked each team, noted the value that paper and Epson Connect can bring to medical settings, and commented on the outcomes of the ideathon.

Mr. Hirano, Healthcare Research & Development Inc.: I came here assuming you would be talking about collaborations between different hospitals, so it was fascinating to see the wide range of scenarios you came up with: collaborations not just between hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes but also between emergency services.

Mr. Hirayama, Healthcare Research & Development Inc.: It's probably hard to feel it when we are busy with our day-to-day work, but I hope that opportunities like this will remind us that our ideas can improve society and that we are in a position to create solutions by working with other companies, like Epson.

Mr. Omori, Japan Research Institute, Ltd.: This event reminded me of today's information literacy gap, especially between generations. In light of that, we should seek hybrids of analog and digital. I also suspect it would be a good idea to use paper to give a sense of warmth and kindness in settings like medicine, where hospitality is essential.

Mr. Nakami, Epson: I sensed a great deal of potential for collaboration between us at Epson, a maker of products, and all of you from LEOCLAN, who understand not only systems but also the needs and problems of medical facilities. Let's give shape to these ideas you created today. I look forward to continuing this.

This ideathon reminded us that system integration using paper and the Epson Connect API could be valuable in solving problems in medical settings.

We also realized that Epson has much to learn by interacting with LEOCLAN's hospital management staff, who are experts. In addition, we received positive feedback from the LEOCLAN staff about the ideathon. Their feedback reaffirmed the potential of this type of inter-industry exchange for us.

Feedback from LEOCLAN staff (excerpts from post-event questionnaire)

"I experienced many things here: how the discussion of individual opinions could synergize into a single idea; the increase in my knowledge by learning about Epson products; and a sense of excitement for the possibility that one person's idea could lead to a product. I hope to participate in more such opportunities in the future."
"For those of us who deal with systems, this is a meaningful opportunity to build a win-win relationship by working together to create solutions like these. I have high expectations for where this will lead."
"The workshop gave us a chance to bring in Epson's technology, which is new to us. We could break out of our established concepts and debate problem solving plans. This process taught me that new ideas don't just come out of nowhere but arise by adding or even multiplying things together."
"It was a good experience for us too. During our discussions, we could share our knowledge and think deeply about customer demand."
"This really motivates me for my job."

Work has already begun on giving shape to everyone's ideas, including some ideas that weren't presented and some new ideas that came up during Q&A. We'll post updates as events develop.

Ideathon conducted: January 2023

All information on organization names, affiliations, titles, and reported content was correct as of the time of the event.