AVer Information aims to ease Korea’s healthcare strain with certified medical-grade cameras < Special < Article

At the K-Hospital Fair (KHF), a Korean digital healthcare exhibition held in Seoul from Oct. 2 to 4, AVer Information—an award-winning provider of AI Audio-Video Solutions—wasn’t just displaying its medical-grade PTZ cameras. They had a clear goal: breaking into the Korean market.

Initially known for its tech solutions in education and business, AVer didn’t plan to enter the medical camera market—at least not until the Covid-19 pandemic created a surge in demand for remote monitoring systems. Hospitals were eager to minimize in-person exposure, turned to AVer’s cameras, which were originally designed for classrooms and conference rooms. Resulting in the launch of Connected Health Solutions in 2022, which the company has two series of medical grade PTZ cameras designed specifically for healthcare environments, they are both awarded by TaiwanExcellence.

With hospitals stretched thin by the ongoing doctor strike—more than 90 percent of Korea’s 13,000 junior doctors have been striking since February—the sense of urgency is clear. As hospitals grapple with severe staff shortages and the standoff between the government and trainee doctors over medical reform drags on, AVer aims to ease the burden on the overworked healthcare system with its certified medical-grade PTZ cameras.

“Korean hospitals need solutions, and our PTZ cameras are part of that answer,” said Nateesha Tai, AVer’s country manager of Korea, in an interview with Korea Biomedical Review on Oct. 4.

While many hospitals have relied on standard IP cameras, these devices often lack the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certification required for medical environments. AVer said that the AVer MD120UI is the world’s first PTZ camera specifically designed for patient monitoring, while the MD330U, the first detachable PTZ camera developed for telemedicine, carries  IEC 60601-1-2 electromagnetic compatibility certification. This certification ensures the MD330U is resistant to electromagnetic interference from other devices and does not emit harmful electromagnetic waves that could disrupt its surroundings.

Both models are aimed at alleviating the heavy workloads faced by medical professionals.

The two cameras’ patient monitoring system enables staff to monitor patients remotely from a central station. “This allows senior nurses to oversee multiple patients simultaneously, reducing the need to move frequently between rooms,” said Tai, explaining that the camera integrates with AVer’s software to actively monitor critical areas, such as IV lines or injuries, performing tasks that would typically require a nurse’s presence. “The camera moves, pauses, and shifts focus, doing the work that once fell solely on nurses, moving through the room in the same way a person would, but faster and more efficiently,” she added.

Since its inception in Taiwan, AVer has forged close ties with local hospitals. “We didn’t just create technology,” Tai said. “We immersed ourselves in the daily grind of nurses and doctors, learning how our cameras could lighten their load.”

A standout feature born from these real-world struggles is the AI functionality for automatic patient monitoring and equipment checks. AVer’s cameras are specifically designed for unobtrusive remote monitoring, with thorough testing ensuring silent operation that won’t interfere with sensitive medical equipment. According to Tai, this sets it apart from many other medical devices, which can malfunction due to radio emissions from nearby radio and electronic equipment.

Another feature includes the Sony lenses, which offer 30x zoom in 4K resolution for the MD330U and MD330UI models, and 20x zoom for the MD120UI. AVer emphasized that this allows the cameras to capture detailed close-ups, whether installed on the ceiling, wall or a mobile cart in patient or surgery rooms. The MD330UI and MD120UI have advanced patient monitoring with its Infrared Night Vision function, enabling round-the-clock surveillance.

“A camera is just a lens offering resolution, but it’s the functionality that sets it apart,” Tai said, emphasizing that “no other company has invested as deeply in understanding the Korean healthcare market” as AVer has. “By actively listening, we’ve rapidly adapted our cameras to meet the increasing demands of hospitals. Our approach is personal, and we continually seek feedback to refine our products.”

The need for advanced healthcare technology stretches far beyond hospital walls. In Korea, the disparity between urban and rural healthcare access is stark, with most doctors concentrated in Seoul, forcing patients from rural areas to make the trek to the capital for specialized care. Tai argued that telemedicine, currently prohibited under the nation’s Medical Services Act due to opposition from the medical community and other stakeholders, could help bridge this gap if supported by advanced monitoring systems.

“With telemedicine, patients in remote areas could easily consult with doctors without the hassle of traveling,” she said. “The demand for patient monitoring solutions is clear, and the potential impact is huge.”

Tai added that this is why AVer MD cameras could offer a beneficial solution in areas where accessing specialized medical care is particularly challenging,” Tai said. While some hospitals exist, finding the right specialist can be difficult due to a shortage of doctors—for example, in regions like Jeju Island or outside metropolitan areas.

Yet a bigger question looms: Will the Korean government legalize telemedicine? “That’s beyond our control,” Tai admitted. “But if they give the green light, our solution will be ready to support hospitals right away.”

On the patient monitoring front, many intensive care units in Korea use IP cameras to avert crises, but privacy concerns linger. “Technology can help, but it can also intrude, much like smartphones,” Tai acknowledged. Hospitals, already strained by limited staff, find themselves in a dilemma—eager to monitor patients but wary of privacy violations.

She emphasized, however, that the AVer cameras are equipped with robust privacy features designed to address these issues. Patients can activate or deactivate the camera as they wish, with privacy mode ensuring no one can access the feed without permission. Video and audio can be completely turned off, preventing unauthorized access. AVer’s MD330U/MD330UI cameras also allow patients to control their visibility, including a mosaic function that blurs their faces if they choose not to be recognized.

Despite these features, telemedicine has yet to gain traction in Korea. In places like the U.S., where privacy is highly valued, telemedicine has flourished to meet patient needs, even amid staffing shortages. “We’re not replacing healthcare workers; we’re making their jobs easier,” Tai emphasized.

James Liao, business development manager of AVer’s Connected Health Division, saw this year’s KHF as a chance to present their solution: combining their tech with other devices and software to ease the burden on Korea’s stretched medical system.

For this reason, AVer decided to partner with Ergotron, a U.S.-based manufacturer known for ergonomic solutions and mobile stations. “Since no single vendor can solve every customer’s problem, collaboration allows us to leverage each partner’s expertise,” Liao said. “This partnership enables us to create comprehensive solutions that address multiple aspects of the customer’s needs, rather than focusing on just one.”

“We excel at making cameras, but we aren’t specialists in building carts or developing software solutions for hospitals,” Tai added. “Partnerships with companies like Ergotron are essential. Together, we deliver complete solutions that fulfill healthcare professionals’ requirements.”