New technology helping to keep residents safe at Kendal Care Home during coronavirus pandemic

A mixed reality headset - Microsoft HoloLens 2 - is transforming how nursing staff at Kendal Care Home carry out their daily ward rounds with residents during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The headset was introduced to the care home back in October and is worn by a nurse at the resident’s bedside. The headset is linked to a Dynamics 365 Remote Assist app which uses Microsoft Teams to send a secure live feed to a computer screen meaning a GP working from their GP practice or remotely can receive a call from the nurse and directly assess the patient through the eyes of the attending nurse.

It has been used to assess approximately 60 residents who are bedfast or have skin conditions which mean they do not have to attend a GP surgery. It has also been used with residents who are nearing the end of their life.

Benefits include:

· better experience for the patient

· increased patient safety during the pandemic

· better quality images for the GP allowing for diagnosis and treatment plan

· more confidence for nursing staff and families.

Kendal Care Home staff are working closely with local GPs to deliver this service, sponsored and supported by Kendal Integrated Care Community (ICC) and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) and enabled by the leadership of Dr Colin Brown, Chief Clinical Information Officer at UHMBT. The Trust has worked with care home staff to ensure they are trained and know how to use and clean the headset in the care home setting.

Amanda Hodgson, Clinical Manager of Kendal Care Home, said: “Before the headset was introduced to the care home back in October, nursing staff were having to call the GP from an iPad or Smartphone so they could see the resident. By using the HoloLens headset, the GP can get a clearer picture of the patient and give advice on whether further treatment is needed.

“We’ve had some great feedback from residents and families of residents who feel assured that this technology is giving GPs a clearer picture of their or their loved one's condition.”

Local GP Dr Richard Russell said: “HoloLens has enabled real-time communications with residents who really need it, whilst keeping them safe from COVID. Its improved quality and access, especially for those infirm, unwell and bed bound. Worried families now feel happier and reassured. This is only the start, and we look forward to improving this concept for our residents.”

Alison Nicholson, Lead Nurse for Kendal ICC, said: “I just want to add how proud I am of the home to take such a leap of faith in uncharted waters and doing so well. Not only has this kept people in the home safer with timely access to health care, it has also been useful for outpatient appointments, tissue viability and dietetic reviews. This technology has such potential in many settings and we hope to look forward to supporting more innovation in 2021.”

Dr Colin Brown, Chief Clinical Information Officer, UHMBT, said: “The care home project is really inspirational and is providing safe, clinical connections for residents and GPs during the coronavirus pandemic. We are working closely with our partners across the Integrated Care System (ICS) to see how we can further develop this technology to transform patient care across health and care settings.”

Microsoft HoloLens 2 was initially piloted on the respiratory wards at UHMBT back in June 2020. You can read more about the initial pilot here.