NHS National Rehabilitation Centre implements smart bedside screens powered by Airwave technology
The UK's National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), run and staffed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, is set to open later this year with a cutting-edge addition to its patient care: Airwave Healthcare's "intelligent bedside terminals". These devices, in the form of integrated iPads, will go beyond typical entertainment functions to support patients in their recovery journey.
These terminals will allow patients to control their environment, such as adjusting room blinds, lighting, and heating, promoting independence during recovery from severe conditions like brain injuries.
The terminals offer a host of features designed to empower patients and facilitate their rehabilitation. They provide:
- Educational content tailored to each patient’s rehabilitation journey.
- Personalised diaries detailing daily activity schedules.
- Live access to electronic patient records, keeping patients informed about their estimated discharge dates, medications, diet, and care teams, enabling active participation in their rehabilitation.
- Communication tools like video calls to stay connected with friends and loved ones.
- The ability to order meals directly from the device through an enhanced MyCareTV service.
These features contribute to patient care by promoting continuous engagement in rehabilitation 24/7 and empowering patients with control and information that fosters autonomy and informed participation in their treatment.
The technology is part of a wider range of measures designed to deliver a step change in rehabilitation at the NRC. Miriam Duffy, NRC Director, stated that the technology will be a game-changer for both patients and rehabilitation as a whole.
Dean Moody, healthcare services director at Airwave Healthcare, emphasised that investment in technology that helps to stimulate and engage patients in their care is important to enhance recovery. He added that the needs of patients at the National Rehabilitation Centre place this in sharper focus.
The selection of Airwave Healthcare was based on factors including cost and extensive experience supporting providers in the NHS. Airwave Healthcare is committed to working with healthcare professionals to understand changing needs and innovate to respond throughout the agreement.
The intelligent bedside terminals will be particularly beneficial for patients with limited mobility and those with memory impact from brain injuries. The deployment of these terminals is a significant step towards transforming rehabilitation care at the NRC.
[1] Source: Airwave Healthcare press release, 2021.
These terminals, integrating the latest technology, provide personalized health-and-wellness content, fitness-and-exercise regimens, and educational material for patients, thereby enhancing their rehabilitation journey. With science-backed techniques and features like live access to digital health records, personalized diaries, communication tools, and meal ordering services, these intelligent bedside terminals empower patients to actively manage their recovery processes, fostering autonomy and independence.
