GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Patients at Spectrum Health are getting help staying connected with loved ones and it’s all thanks to those in the community.
When this pandemic really started to build up Spectrum Health banned visitors from the intensive care unit to help prevent the spread of covid-19.
Now patients in that area can stay in touch with the outside a little better because with a little help from Bank of America and Zeeland Public Schools, all the ICU’s in Grand Rapids and regional hospitals now have iPads in them.
The bank donated 2-hundred of the devices and Zeeland Public let Spectrum borrow another 3-hundred while kids are out of school.
Those with the hospital say it’s really lifted everyone’s spirits to see loved ones be able to reconnect through the technology.
“We've had many special circumstances,” John Bonner, Senior Director of Safety & Patient Experience at Spectrum Health told FOX 17. “Whether it's celebrating a birthday, celebrating a milestone, someone being able to get out of bed, developing a plan of care with their loved one with the doctor and nurse on the camera with the patient and talking about it.”
The iPads are helping bring a little happiness into the lives of patients.
“It's not about just communication it's about hope, giving people hope and helping them feel a part of their family, part of life while they're experiencing an ICU setting” Bonner said.
Byrne Electrial Systems also helped out by donating 80 power cords for the iPads. Spectrum says it is looking at expanding this program and integrating more patient-visitor communications technology even after the pandemic ends.