==== Front Med Sci Monit Basic ResMed Sci Monit Basic ResMedical Science Monitor Basic ResearchMedical Science Monitor Basic Research2325-43942325-4416International Scientific Literature, Inc. 3000650110.12659/MSMBR.911436911436Short CommunicationsThe Micro-Hospital: 5G Telemedicine-Based Care Stefano George B. EFKream Richard M. EFDepartment of Psychiatry, First Faculty of Medicine Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Center for Cognitive and Molecular Neuroscience, Prague, Czech RepublicCorresponding Author: George B. Stefano, e-mail: gbstefano@yahoo.comA Study Design B Data Collection C Statistical Analysis D Data Interpretation E Manuscript Preparation F Literature Search G Funds Collection 2018 14 7 2018 24 103 104 30 5 2018 30 5 2018 © Med Sci Monit, 20182018This work is licensed under Creative Common Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)Today’s medical service delivery platforms provide everything from small urgent care ‘offices’ to large medical centers. Since 2007, an intermediate entity for care has been established, namely, the micro-hospital. Micro-hospitals are 24-hour, small inpatient facilities with an average of 2 to 10 beds, designed to provide a diversity of healthcare services consistent with community demands. In addition, they seek to combine a cost-effective healthcare vehicle with potential time-dependent triage/transfer capabilities to a nearby large medical center. This smaller cost-effective entity represents an ideal vehicle for telemedicine, whereby specialists are always on hand for interpretation and consultation, with minimal patient waiting. In all likelihood, telemedicine, including cloud data storage and retrieval, will develop at a faster pace due to emerging 5G technology. Appropriate modification of the micro-hospital may also lead to creation of specialized centers devoted to endocrine and metabolic disorders, pulmonary diseases, and addiction medicine, which are certainly within the realm of medical necessity. MeSH Keywords Ambulatory Care FacilitiesMedical Informatics ApplicationsRoboticsTelemedicine ==== Body The current spectrum of medical services delivery platforms provides a balance between immediate needs and overall depth of services and ranges from small urgent care “offices” to large medical centers. Since 2007, it appears that an intermediate focal point has been established via creation of micro-hospitals. Micro-hospitals are constantly-open, small inpatient facilities with an average of 2 to 10 beds, designed to provide a diversity of healthcare services consistent with community demands. In addition, they seek to combine a cost-effective healthcare vehicle with potential time-dependent triage/transfer capabilities to a nearby large medical center. A typical micro-hospital is organized according to a common service model that includes emergency services, availability and efficient processing of essential laboratory tests, requisite imaging technologies, minor outpatient surgical procedures, and pharmacy services. Within the near future, the growth of diagnostic and medical services may include enhancement of robotic procedures linked to telemedicine and related tele-technology [1]. It is also envisioned that exponential increases in the depth and reliability of evidence-based diagnosis and decision-making will be facilitated by high-speed data acquisition and retrieval linked to globally available diagnostic algorithms. With regard to advanced telemedicine at a micro-hospital, we quote: “Telemedicine makes specialists available practically 24/7. A group of specialists who contract with the telemedicine provider handles calls and can respond either by phone or text message. Or, if the situation warrants, the physicians can diagnose and prescribe treatment for the patient via two-way videoconferencing technology, a cart or robot equipped with diagnostic equipment, and a monitor that provides for face-to-face communication with patients and staff. The tele-specialists might be in the same state and time zone, across the country, or, in some instances, halfway around the world, but they must be licensed in the state and credentialed by the hospital at which they are practicing. Wherever they are, response time is usually fast“ [2]. In all likelihood, telemedicine, including cloud data storage and retrieval, will occur at a faster pace due to 5G technology and, for certain procedures, in real-time. For example, 5G will provide for very high bandwidths and ultra-low-power radios at lower costs. Time lag/latency periods that can occur with today’s devices, e.g., robotic services, will be almost non-existent. Finally, for a biomedical model system apparently fashioned according to a “bed and bath” paradigm, micro-hospitals appear to offer a multiplicity of high-quality diagnostic and treatment services that could potentially lower overall medical spending without sacrificing critical staffing requirements. Appropriate modification of the micro-hospital model to accommodate small centers of excellence devoted to endocrine and metabolic disorders, pulmonary diseases, and addiction medicine is certainly within the realm of medical necessity. Source of support: Self financing ==== Refs References 1 Stefano GB Robotic surgery: Fast forward to telemedicine Med Sci Monit 2017 23 1856 28414709 2 Mirza A Micro-Hospitals Provide Health Care Closer to Home U.S. News [online] 2017 4 27 [cited 2018 May 28]. Available from: URL: https://www.usnews.com/news/healthcare-of-tomorrow/articles/2017-04-24/micro-hospitals-offer-an-alternative-health-care-model-for-local-communities