Tallaght University Hospital’s role in digital transformation
Discover how Tallaght University Hospital is leading the charge in digital healthcare innovation through real-world applications of cutting-edge technologies.
A legacy of excellence in healthcare
Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is not just a healthcare provider; it’s an institution with a rich history, built on a foundation of care, education, and innovation. Established on June 21st, 1998, following the consolidation of three prestigious hospitals — Adelaide, Meath, and the National Children’s Hospital — TUH has been at the forefront of both patient care and medical research for over two decades.
As a teaching hospital, TUH draws on the expertise of its academic and clinical partners, fostering an environment of collaboration to achieve positive health outcomes. Today, it continues to build on this legacy, advancing healthcare through groundbreaking research and the integration of emerging digital technologies.
Leading Healthcare Innovation
TUH is currently implementing several case studies that showcase how technology is transforming patient care and operational efficiency. These case studies highlight the hospital’s commitment to improving outcomes through the application of digital solutions. Let’s explore the technologies that are making a real difference.
OPERA: Optimising operating room efficiency
At Tallaght University Hospital, the OPERA system is being used to address the complexities of operating room (OR) scheduling and coordination. The software is designed to help streamline processes, reduce wait times, and improve communication among surgical teams. However, the key question remains: is the technology truly helping to improve efficiency, or is it simply automating existing inefficiencies?
By examining how OR staff adapt their skills to the digital planning tools and how these tools impact team communication, we aim to understand whether technology is delivering the positive outcomes expected, such as reduced cancellations and enhanced patient care, or if it’s merely adding to the complexity of an already challenging environment.
Real-Time patient flow: Monitoring the entire patient journey
This case study focuses on how patient flow is managed from admission to discharge, looking at the human side of logistics. Real-time tracking of patients within the hospital aims to ensure they move through the system efficiently, but is the technology making a meaningful impact? How do healthcare professionals manage to balance pressure with maintaining high-quality care, and where do gaps occur between intended workflows and reality? This study aims to uncover the skills and processes necessary to improve patient flow and reduce delays, while also considering how to build more resilient, human-centred systems that ultimately benefit both staff and patients across European healthcare settings.
Unified communications: Streamlining staff communication
Unified communication systems are introduced with the goal of improving the coordination and efficiency of healthcare teams. But as this case study explores, is faster communication truly helping, or is it simply creating a flood of information that overwhelms staff? The study investigates how healthcare professionals adapt to new communication protocols, how it influences their roles and teamwork, and whether these systems lead to better decision-making under pressure. It also examines whether the shift to digital communication practices creates new skills or stress points in clinical settings. The aim is to determine how technology can support, rather than complicate, the delivery of care in busy hospital environments.
SmartCP: Empowering patients with chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a long-term, complex condition requiring multi-disciplinary care. At Tallaght University Hospital, the SmartCP platform is being used to help patients with CP manage their health outside of hospital settings. But does this technology truly empower patients, or is it just another tool that adds to their treatment burden? This case study focuses on how the platform is being used to improve patient self-management, reduce hospital admissions, and support long-term wellbeing. The goal is to determine if the platform is truly making a difference in patient outcomes, providing individuals with more control over their health, and enhancing their quality of life.
In a nutshell
Tallaght University Hospital’s case studies offer more than just examples of digital tools in action — they open up critical questions about how technology is integrated into the realities of healthcare. Is innovation truly streamlining care, or are new layers of complexity emerging?
Through its involvement in the TechConnect project, TUH is helping uncover these answers by exploring how human skills, workflows, and digital systems interact on the ground. By continuing to challenge assumptions and assess real-world impacts, TUH is not only adopting innovation — it’s shaping it for the future of patient-centred care across Europe.