Able Innovations, a medical robotic solutions company, announced a partnership with Lahey Hospital & Medical Center to introduce its ALTA Platform in the United States. Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, is the first U.S. hospital to implement the robotic patient handling platform.
The ALTA Platform automates lateral patient transfers between beds, imaging tables, operating room tables, stretchers, and other surfaces within acute care environments. The system is designed to enable a single staff member to safely perform transfers, reducing injury risk for caregivers while improving patient comfort and operational efficiency.
Originally launched in Canada, the platform combines robotics with human-assisted care to streamline hospital workflows and enhance safety during one of the most physically demanding tasks performed by frontline healthcare staff.
The initiative aligns with the mission of the Lahey Innovation Hub, which focuses on advancing digital solutions, emerging technologies, and new care models that improve patient outcomes. The partnership also supports Lahey Hospital & Medical Center’s environmental sustainability goals.
Traditional patient transfer methods often rely on disposable friction-reducing materials that contribute to medical waste. Able Innovations estimates the ALTA Platform could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 percent over a 10-year period when compared with single-patient-use plastics.
Workplace safety is a major focus of the technology. Lateral patient transfers are among the most physically demanding tasks for healthcare workers and frequently lead to musculoskeletal injuries and staff burnout. By automating the transfer process, the ALTA Platform is designed to reduce strain on nursing and transport teams while allowing staff to focus more on patient care.
Through the collaboration, Able Innovations and Lahey Hospital & Medical Center will develop new operational workflows that shift the labor-intensive process of patient transfers to the robotic system. The approach is intended to improve daily clinical workflows while supporting the long-term sustainability of healthcare workforces.
KEY QUOTES
“We are extremely proud to deploy our first-of-its-kind ALTA Platform® at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center and collaborate to develop new models of care. As leaders in adoption of health care innovation, Lahey and its leadership team have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving patient care, staff well-being and sustainability through the application of cutting-edge technology.”
Jayiesh Singh, CEO of Able Innovations
“This collaboration exemplifies Lahey Hospital & Medical Center’s commitment to identifying unmet clinical needs and accelerating the adoption of high-impact technologies. By aligning patient care, workforce well-being and sustainable health care, the initiative advances human-centered innovation with measurable impact.”
Susan Moffatt-Bruce, MD, PhD, President of Lahey Hospital & Medical Center
“Safe patient handling has long challenged frontline staff. This technology improves that reality by reducing manual strain and improving the patient experience, supporting both clinical excellence and workforce well-being.”
Scott James, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer for Lahey Hospital & Medical Center
