Virtual Reality: Enhancing Patient Care with Cutting-Edge Tech
- LAMON, Italy (AP) — Lamon Hospital is implementing a virtual reality system designed to evaluate patients and tailor rehabilitation programs, offering exercises that can be performed at home...
- Manuela Lanzarin, Veneto Region Healthcare Councilor, emphasized the importance of technology in modern healthcare.
- In 2024, Lamon Hospital, with its 35 beds, recorded 566 hospitalizations, with nearly 17% originating from outside the local health authority (Ulss).
Lamon Hospital Pioneers Virtual Reality Rehabilitation
LAMON, Italy (AP) — Lamon Hospital is implementing a virtual reality system designed to evaluate patients and tailor rehabilitation programs, offering exercises that can be performed at home under medical supervision. The SActive telerehabilitation system aims to shift from a hospital-centric approach to one focused on patient proximity, leveraging technology to improve care.
Veneto Region Prioritizes Technology in Healthcare
Manuela Lanzarin, Veneto Region Healthcare Councilor, emphasized the importance of technology in modern healthcare. “We are moving towards a vision of proximity to the patient, where technologies are a priority,” Lanzarin said. “The digital gap must be filled, especially for the elderly, as telerehabilitation significantly impacts the quality of care and life.”
Hospital Stats and Service Expansion
In 2024, Lamon Hospital, with its 35 beds, recorded 566 hospitalizations, with nearly 17% originating from outside the local health authority (Ulss). The hospital also provided 14,203 outpatient services, including 24,532 initial and follow-up visits. While serving as a provincial rehabilitation hub, it also caters to surrounding areas.
Renovations and Technological Integration
Giuseppe Dal Ben, Commissioner of Ulss 1 Dolomites, highlighted ongoing improvements. “We are completing a high-level rehabilitative structure where the new telerehabilitation system integrates clinical activities and technology,” Dal Ben stated. The system aims to connect the hospital with the wider community, enabling patients to continue their rehabilitation at home.
Inside the Telerehabilitation System
Pietro dell’Isto, a physiatrist, detailed the system’s components. “The structure includes equipment with hybrid technology, combining virtual and augmented reality for optimized rehabilitation,” dell’Isto explained.
- D-Wall: A device that analyzes posture and movements using a 3D camera for three-dimensional reconstruction.
- Walker View: A treadmill with a 3D room for comprehensive step analysis and personalized program creation.
- Homing Studio: A system that allows remote patient monitoring. Patients receive a kit to connect to their television and perform exercises, while medical staff monitor their progress.
All equipment is interconnected, providing access to the patient’s medical record.
Applications and contraindications
The system has been used to treat neurological conditions such as cerebral and spinal lesions, Parkinson’s disease, and cerebral palsy, as well as orthopedic issues like post-traumatic prostheses and surgery.
Dell’Isto noted some contraindications, including cognitive deficits that impair the ability to follow instructions, unfamiliarity with technology, or unsuitable home environments, notably connection problems. Though, he emphasized the numerous advantages, including improved access to care in remote areas, reduced travel burdens, and enhanced continuity of assistance.
Community Support and Investment
Lamon Mayor Lorris Macagnan underscored the hospital’s meaning to the community. “The hospital has a long history of healthcare and continues to play a vital role,” Macagnan said. The community is committed to further investment in rehabilitation services.
Socio-Health Initiatives
Investments are also planned for the socio-health sector. Dario Bond, president of the Management Committee of the Confinating Common Fund, said a Social-Health Plan includes redeveloping a former carabinieri barracks into mini-apartments for health personnel. Additional accommodations are also under consideration.
Strategic Importance
Lanzarin reiterated the strategic importance of Lamon as a rehabilitation center. “Lamon should become the rehabilitation center of the ULSS Dolomiti, vital for post-intervention rehabilitation and the growing aging population,” Lanzarin said. She also noted the relationship with the Padua Hospital, emphasizing that networking allows specialists to support more challenging situations, especially given staff shortages in healthcare systems.
Health and Social Policy Alignment
Lanzarin concluded by highlighting the link between health and social health policies, noting that allocating funds to health and socio-health initiatives is strategic for improving quality of life and service continuity.
Lamon Hospital Pioneers Virtual Reality Rehabilitation: Your Questions Answered
What is Lamon Hospital doing with virtual reality in rehabilitation?
Lamon Hospital in Italy is pioneering the use of a virtual reality (VR) system designed to evaluate patients and tailor rehabilitation programs. This innovative approach allows patients to perform exercises at home under medical supervision,shifting the focus from a hospital-centric model to patient proximity and improved care. This telerehabilitation system, called SActive, leverages technology to enhance the rehabilitation process.
How does virtual reality rehabilitation work?
The telerehabilitation system at Lamon Hospital uses hybrid technology,combining virtual and augmented reality to optimize rehabilitation exercises. This involves interconnected equipment that provides medical staff with access to the patient’s medical record and a remote monitoring system.
What are the key components of the SActive telerehabilitation system?
The system includes several key components:
D-Wall: A device that analyzes posture and movements using a 3D camera to create a three-dimensional reconstruction.
Walker View: A treadmill equipped with a 3D room for comprehensive step analysis and personalized programme creation.
Homing Studio: A system that allows remote patient monitoring. Patients receive a kit to connect to their television and perform exercises,while medical staff monitor their progress.
What are the benefits of virtual reality rehabilitation?
Dell’Isto, a physiatrist, emphasizes the numerous advantages of this system, including:
Improved access to care, especially for those in remote areas.
Reduced travel burdens for patients.
Enhanced continuity of assistance, allowing patients to continue their rehabilitation at home.
For what conditions is this VR rehabilitation system used?
The system is used to treat various conditions, including:
Neurological conditions such as cerebral and spinal lesions, Parkinson’s disease, and cerebral palsy.
Orthopedic issues like post-traumatic prostheses and post-surgery rehabilitation.
are there any contraindications for using this system?
Yes, Dell’Isto noted some contraindications:
Cognitive deficits that impair the ability to follow instructions.
Unfamiliarity with technology.
* Unsuitable home environments, notably connection problems.
How does this initiative align with regional healthcare priorities?
The Veneto Region prioritizes technology in healthcare, as highlighted by Manuela Lanzarin, Veneto Region Healthcare Councilor. The goal is to bridge the digital gap, particularly for the elderly, and improve the quality of care and life through telerehabilitation.
How has Lamon Hospital served its community?
In 2024,Lamon Hospital,with its 35 beds,recorded 566 hospitalizations,17% originating from outside the local health authority.The hospital also provided 14,203 outpatient services, including 24,532 initial and follow-up visits.it serves as a provincial rehabilitation hub and caters to surrounding areas.
What is the strategic importance of Lamon Hospital as a rehabilitation center?
Lanzarin emphasizes that Lamon Hospital should become the rehabilitation center for the ULSS Dolomiti, which is vital for post-intervention rehabilitation and the growing aging population. This initiative is crucial, also considering the staff shortages in healthcare systems.
What other investments are planned to support healthcare in the community?
Investments are also planned for the socio-health sector, including a Social-Health Plan for redeveloping a former carabinieri barracks into mini-apartments for health personnel. Additional accommodations are also under consideration.
What is the role of community support in this initiative?
Lamon Mayor Lorris Macagnan underscored the hospital’s vital role in the community. The community is committed to further investment in rehabilitation services to sustain and improve healthcare.
What technologies are utilized in this telerehabilitation system?
The telerehabilitation system is designed to utilize a combination of technologies. Hear’s a summary:
| Technology | Description |
| ——————– | ——————————————————————————————————————————————————– |
| Hybrid Technology | Combines virtual and augmented reality for optimized rehabilitation. |
| 3D Camera | Used in the D-Wall system to analyze posture and movements by creating three-dimensional reconstructions. |
| Treadmill (Walker View) | The treadmill, designed with a 3D room, is utilized for comprehensive step analysis and personalized program creation. |
| Remote Monitoring System | Allows remote patient monitoring through the “Homing Studio” system. Patients connect via a kit to their televisions while medical staff monitor their progress. |
| Interconnectivity | All equipment is interconnected, providing access to the patient’s medical record. |
