Nordic Healthcare Group has been closely involved in the hospital’s planning and design from the very beginning
Next year, the Kanta-Häme wellbeing services counties will open a new-generation digital central hospital when Ahvenisto Hospital, also known as Assi, begins operations in Hämeenlinna.
What makes the hospital progressive is that modern technology has been integrated into its design and construction from the very beginning, supporting professional work, patient care, logistics and safety.
For example, the hospital offers visitors a comprehensive digital guidance system.
“Various displays guide people to the right places in the hospital. Patients also have access to the Omahäme app, part of the same broader digitalization project as Assi,” says Harri Halinen, the Project Manager responsible for the hospital project’s IT and technology.
The hospital includes several safety-related systems, such as a nurse call system that enables ward patients to communicate with staff.
“Another notable feature is a pattern-recognition-based fall prevention system used to monitor patients’ movements,” says Eeva Rikkilä-Kettunen, Project Director of Assi Hospital.
Digitalization streamlines professionals’ daily work
A digital operations management system makes professionals’ daily work smoother. Staff can easily book rooms and submit various service requests, such as for cleaning or patient transport.
Another major improvement is the situational overview system, which displays ward patients’ status and daily schedule.
“This allows patient flow to be managed very efficiently. Another important aspect is the logistics management system, which is used to manage the movement of supplies, medicines, laundry, and meals within the hospital,” Halinen says.
Both future patients and staff have been actively involved in development and in testing the user interfaces from the start.
“They have participated with great enthusiasm, especially when they’ve seen their suggestions come to life. This is what positive development looks like,” Halinen says.
The various systems must work seamlessly together, as the hospital will include not only specialized medical care but also a wide range of primary healthcare wards, laboratories and support services. In addition, a new rescue station will begin operations alongside Assi Hospital.
“One goal is to strengthen cooperation between different professionals and thereby streamline workflows and care pathways. That’s why each floor has its own shared break room, enabling more informal meetings between different specialties and professional groups than before,” Rikkilä-Kettunen says.
“The goal is to streamline work and care pathways.”
Eeva Rikkilä-Kettunen, Project Director at Assi Hospital/Kanta-Häme wellbeing services county
Data enables continuous development
Nordic Healthcare Group has been supporting the wellbeing services counties in Assi’s planning from the very beginning.
“We’ve relied on their expertise in roles ranging from specialist tasks to project management. The expertise that NHG brings is unique. You can’t hire it from anywhere else, as they’ve been involved in many similar hospital projects,” Halinen says.
“The expertise that NHG brings is unique.”
Harri Halinen, ICT Project Manager at Assi Hospital/Kanta-Häme wellbeing services county
According to NHG’s Principal Consultant Sampo Syrjäläinen, NHG’s role in the hospital’s IT projects has grown as commissioning approaches.
“This has been a rewarding project for us. We’ve been involved throughout the entire lifecycle, from procurement to commissioning. We’ll continue at least until the end of 2026,” Syrjäläinen says.
The new information systems provide data in an entirely new way, creating unprecedented opportunities for operational development.
“This can already be seen in the traceability of operating room procedures and in the monitoring of costs and quality.”
Project highlights
Challenge
The need to build a modern central hospital where technology supports both professionals’ work and patient care. The hospital needed to combine specialized medical care and primary health care functions, as well as diverse support services.
Solution
The hospital was designed from the outset with digitalization in mind: comprehensive electronic operations management, guidance and safety systems were implemented. Staff and clients were widely involved in the development work, and the systems were seamlessly integrated into daily operations.
Results
A cost-effective, adaptable and safe hospital was created, where digital solutions streamline work and patient flow. The new information systems enable continuous operational development as well as better monitoring of quality and costs.
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