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Hitachi's Revolutionary Support System for Public Health Nurses in Osaka

In a significant advancement for community health services, Hitachi Ltd. is developing a cutting-edge system to support public health nurses in Osaka. Scheduled to go live in April 2026, this initiative is part of Osaka's digital transformation (DX) strategy aimed at improving the efficiency of health professionals while enhancing the quality of services provided to the public.

Addressing Growing Challenges

Public health nurses play a crucial role in safeguarding the health of local communities. However, increasing complexities due to demographic changes and a variety of community needs have made their workload heavier. Traditionally relying on paper and Excel for documentation and reporting, public health nurses have faced inefficiencies in time management and resource allocation. Additionally, the lack of centralized data has hindered knowledge sharing and collaboration among nurses.

Recognizing these challenges, Osaka City is prioritizing a digital strategy known as "Re-Design Osaka" to alleviate these pressures through innovative technology. This transformation is expected to streamline processes and ultimately lead to a more vibrant community where residents can enjoy improved health services.

Features of the New System

The new system developed by Hitachi offers various features designed with the needs of public health nurses in mind. Here are some notable functionalities:

1. User-Friendly Portals

The system is designed to be intuitive. Public health nurses will find a portal that mirrors existing workflows, making it easier for them to adapt to the new technology. Nurses will be able to register and search for beneficiaries, document consultations, manage schedules, and access vital information with just a few clicks.

• - The top screen will display menu options based on actual workflows, allowing for quick access to necessary tasks, including beneficiary registration and consultation documentation.
• - All data will be centralized, enabling seamless information transfer and retrieval. If a primary nurse changes, the new nurse can easily access the relevant information for a smooth handover process.
• - Advanced AI tools will help nurses create documentation by transcribing conversations and summarizing discussions, saving time and letting them focus on client engagement.

2. Reduced Reporting Burden

Creating reports for local and national agencies has historically been a time-consuming task, filled with data entry and verification burdens. Hitachi’s new system addresses this by automating the generation of activity reports based on existing calendar and consultation data. This includes:

• - Automatic report creation that compiles each nurse’s work hours and case activities, significantly reducing the manual effort involved.
• - The ability to aggregate reports on a daily, monthly, or regional scale, making it easier for public health officials to monitor community health activities.
• - An integrated digital workflow to streamline the review, modification, and approval processes for reports, enhancing transparency and accountability across public health operations.

Future Development

This innovative system will be implemented in phases, with the first launch focusing on managing support information, report generation, and competency assessments for nurses. Future updates may expand the system’s capabilities, such as integrating it with national health databases for a more unified approach to public health management. Hitachi remains committed to supporting Osaka's efforts to enhance public health services.

As part of a broader mission, Hitachi aims to elevate the quality of community services by empowering frontline workers like public health nurses through digital solutions.

Upcoming Events

Hitachi will showcase its efforts in supporting consulting operations with digital technology at the "Local Government Digitalization Promotion Fair 2025," scheduled for October 8-9, 2025, at Makuhari Messe.
More information is available at: Hitachi Event

Conclusion

As Hitachi embarks on this transformative journey, the focus will be on enhancing the capabilities of public health nurses and ensuring that the health and well-being of community residents are prioritized. This initiative not only reflects the changing landscape of health care but also underscores the importance of digital innovation in public service delivery.

For more inquiries, please contact:
Hitachi Ltd. Public Systems Sales Headquarters Customer Relations Center, 6-23-1 Minamiooi, Shinagawa, Tokyo 140-8512, Japan. Website