Philips
As mental health patients increase, some healthcare systems are looking for new ways to support patients. For example, Amsterdam-based health tech company Philips notes that hospitals are supporting their mental health patients in new ways using technology solutions built for entirely different purposes. Christine Storm, business leader of Philips Virtual Care Solutions, discussed the phenomenon with MedCity in an email exchange.
MedCity News: How do you see companies/healthcare systems innovating to address mental health issues during the pandemic?
storm: Not only are many of them turning to making sure they can address the current mental health crisis, but many are taking action to address mental health issues in their communities. For example, telemedicine around behavioral health needs – treating patients in suburban and rural areas has increased. good helper They quickly established a program where they used telehealth carts in emergency rooms to give patients access to behavioral health experts even when they were not on site. Like many health systems, they found that more and more teens were feeling the effects of isolation and distance education caused by the pandemic. Bon Secours is also using this model to bring behavioral health into the community, offering behavioral health in its outpatient care settings through a telehealth solution.
MedCity News: You mentioned that hospitals are using technology solutions built for entirely different purposes to ensure the comfort and care of those who suffer in new ways. What does this look like in practice?
storm: The first example is the use of Philips Environmental Experience solutions in 4 specialty emergency rooms at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. The system was originally designed to help patients relax during radiology studies and to help them stay calm and focused when entering CT scanners. However, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas has opted to implement them in a new way to help address the number of teens entering emergency rooms with mental health issues.
According to the senior director of emergency services at Burnap in Geneva, isolation from Covid-19 and other factors are making many people very sad. The hospital introduced a space called the ‘Philips Room’ – a place where teens experience light and a warm environment to help them relax. Patients can choose the subject that most appeals to them and the immersive experience that accompanies it.instead of sitting in a traditional emergency room [hours]they have this unique interactive environment.
MedCity News: You mentioned the concept of an electronic babysitter. Can you elaborate?
storm: Organizations like Bon Secours of New York have taken their eICU technologies and used them in unique ways to support patients. Traditionally, these eICU systems have been used to monitor patients and allow clinicians to access specialists and other support teams to provide the best possible care to patients, even if that provider is not immediately available in the hospital. According to Bon Secours CEO Mary Leahy, they turned to these systems to provide patients, especially those with Covid-19, a way to connect and interact with nurses without exposing them or their caregivers . There is always someone watching the patient virtually, and they can also talk to them, helping them feel less isolated.
MedCity News: How do you see the mental health care landscape changing in the coming months? year?
storm: We are seeing technologies such as telehealth continue to be close to patients and combined with in-office visits to help address mental health issues in schools and emergency rooms. From schools to families and even in the community, mental health will continue to happen in a way that is more private and convenient for patients. This will help remove obstacles and give them the help they need when they need it.
Photo: SDI Productions, Getty Images
