The Spinal Injuries Unit at Princess Alexandra Hospital now has the latest inpatient bedside technology thanks to a partnership effort between technology experts, patient advocates, consumers and staff.
The complex system rollout within the 40-bed ward was completed in December 2025 as part of the Queensland Spinal Cord Injury Service (QSCIS) Enhancement Project.
Technologically tailored to meet the unique needs of patients with differing levels of upper limb function, the complex installation was years in the making and a highlight of the upgrade to the rehabilitation space.
The Patient Experience System now offers upgraded screens, computer functionality, touchscreen capability and an adaptable menu to enhance entertainment options, connectivity with family and friends and nurse call capacity from the bedside.
General Manager - Commercial for Rauland Australia, Oliver Monch said the system focussed on improving the user experience at the bedside enabling options for reduced mobility including sip puff navigation for nurse call, screen menu selection, and environmental controls for the room.
“The Concierge HiMed Cockpit offers patients a simpler, more independent way to manage their hospital stay. Using accessibility devices and our custom interface, patients can intuitively navigate the system, access entertainment and request support from nursing staff,” Oliver said.
“This helps them focus on their recovery rather than the technology itself and frees up staff time to focus on care and support.”
Patient Dan, who was five weeks into his admission in SIU when the upgrade was completed in his room, testified to the stark difference between the old and the new.
“The old system was dismal – the screens were analogue and very small,” he said. “This is great. it has so many more inclusions and features and the screen is a lot clearer.”
The devices are fitted to a moveable arm which improves the positioning of the screen at any time for comfortable viewing while in bed or accessing from the bedside.
“You can plug headphones in if you want optimum sound, but it is possible to watch without them,” Dan said. “It’s way more comfortable when lying down, plus more tv, subscription and radio stations. It’s a huge improvement while staying for a long time in this hospital ward.”
Clinical Lead QSCIS Enhancement Project, Beth Walter said the SIU Patient Experience System installation is a pilot for hospital settings.
“It is a very different experience for patients using technology at the bedside in a highly specialised ward such as the Spinal Injuries Unit,” Beth said.
“This system is tailoring connectivity for everybody using accessibility features such as the sip-puff and the touchpad for people who have a higher level of spinal injury. It has taken us some time to get the functionality right across all devices, but the collaborative efforts have been so valuable to the result.”
Rauland Australia reflected on the partnership with all stakeholders in supporting independence for patients and clinicians.
“This solution is shaped by the experiences of patients and the clinical expertise of the SIU team,” Oliver said. “The exciting part is this is just the beginning, with the foundations now in place for future enhancements that can continue to expand functionality as needs evolve.”
Special thanks to Health Infrastructure Queensland, the broader project team and Rauland Australia who partnered with our staff and consumers to ensure the unique needs of patients were included in the bespoke bedside system.