The Covid-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges, but what we have learned is that with true collaboration, compassion for each other, and with the help of technology as a tool, it is possible to support those most vulnerable during these challenging times.
Technology needs to be disruptive to make a real impact. At least that was the case until COVID-19 came along to upend our lives and indeed to take lives. Now, when every facet of daily life is disrupted, technology can be used to re-establish a small degree of normality. It can restore connections during a very disconnected time.
The loss of connection is magnified at the bedside of patients suffering from this frightening disease. At no other time do we need the presence of family more. However, normal clinical practices have been turned upside down. The healthcare community is faced with a stark reality. Face to face communication and support that healthcare professionals provide every day to families physically present at the bedside, is now not possible. Families are not able to hold their family loved one’s hand, but technology provides the potential to see and hear their loved ones through video calls.
However, the critical care or ICU setting, presents a unique challenge to introduce video calls in an appropriate, confidential, secure, and sensitive manner. The Galway community has risen to the task, and with an enormous amount of goodwill, support, and expertise from near and far, it has been working to provide a solution. Through collaboration between NUI Galway University groups, IBM, Cisco, and University Hospital Galway medical professionals, clinical engineers, and the IT Department, University Hospital Galway has introduced the ICU FamilyLink video call system.
ICU FamilyLink uses Cisco Webex software and hardware to reconnect families with their loved ones in the critical care unit with secure video calls. Local IBM volunteers are providing IT helpline support for families. The system is complemented by iPads to facilitate staff-to-staff Webex video calls. While ICU FamilyLink cannot fully replace the physical presence and loving touch of family, it aims to help alleviate patients’ and families’ fear and anxiety, and ultimately restore connection.
We are privileged to be part of this effort to deliver ICU FamilyLink to the hospital that has cared for our family members and have been supported by NUI Galway who have trained us. Without the generous support and collaboration of many this would not have been possible.
This initiative was delivered by Irial Conroy (NUI Galway/IBM), Dr. Aoife Murray (NUIGalway), Brian O’Donoghue (Cisco), Breda McColgan (IBM), PJ McKenna (IBM), Frank Kirrane (UHG), and Leonie Cullen (UHG), UHG IT department and wider Saolta, IBM, Cisco, and NUI Galway staff.
This initiative has been supported by numerous groups across NUI Galway including but not limited to Dr Paul Flynn, Ron Owens, and Iain Shaw.
Particular thanks to the IBM helpline volunteers, David Bermingham (IBM), Keith Griffin (Cisco), Peter Payton (IBM), Steve Cullen (NUIGalway) , Elaine Naughton (HSE), Elaine Breslin (CRF), Professor Martin O’Halloran (TMDL/NUIGalway), Professor Martin O’Donnell (CRF/UHG/NUIGalway), Dr Conor Judge (ICAT/NUIGalway), Gary Daly (Cisco), Paul Fidler (Cisco), Maureen Casey (Wriggle Learning), Dave Fagan (Compu B), Éanna Ó Brádaigh (Apple) and many more.
text provided by Dr. Aoife Murray and Irial Conroy