Crescent Regional Hospital in Lancaster, Texas, is using 3D hologram technology in a bid to improve access to care for patients.
The technology is called Holobox and is made by Holoconnects, a holographic solutions provider. It was originally utilized in the hospitality industry, Raji Kumar, managing partner and CEO at Crescent Regional Hospital, told Becker's. It enables physicians to "teleport" as a life-size 3D hologram and connect with patients in real time.
What prompted the Texas hospital to adopt the technology for healthcare was the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Ms. Kumar.
"With the pandemic came the accelerated adoption of telehealth, with patients becoming accustomed to virtual consultations," she said.
This shift prompted Crescent Regional Hospital to explore new technologies that could further improve patient care, especially in remote and rural settings.
During their search for advanced solutions, Crescent Regional Hospital discovered Holobox technology. After visiting the company's production facility in Amsterdam, Crescent Medical Center began the process of adapting the technology for medical use. According to Ms. Kumar, the first application focused on enabling surgeons to conduct post-operative visits without physically traveling to the hospital.
"Dallas has so many hospitals, and our surgeons often have to drive long distances," she said. "With the Holobox, they can now see their patients clearly, examine incisions, monitor drains and even observe muscle movements — all virtually."
The success of this initial application led to further developments. Crescent Regional Hospital is now working with the Fallen Officers Foundation to equip a mobile van with Holobox technology. This mobile unit will provide specialist consultations in rural areas, enhancing access to advanced medical care.
Additionally, Crescent Regional Hospital is deploying the technology in critical access hospitals to offer immediate specialist consultations.
"When a patient in a rural hospital needs a specialist, they can now have a 3D consultation with our interventional cardiologist or surgeon, providing immense relief and clarity to both patients and their families," Ms. Kumar said.
The simplicity of the Holobox technology has facilitated its adoption. Healthcare professionals find it easy to use as it requires minimal training, according to Ms. Kumar.
"Our physicians were initially skeptical, but once they saw the patient feedback, they fully embraced the technology," she said. "Patients appreciate not having to wait long hours for post-op consultations and feel more connected with their doctors."
Looking ahead, Crescent Regional Hospital is exploring even more advanced applications of the technology. The hospital aims to integrate it with its current nurse call system and project holograms directly into patient rooms. Ms. Kumar emphasized the importance of continuing to innovate and transform healthcare delivery.
"We have to start somewhere. We don't have all the answers yet, but it's a step in the right direction. Healthcare delivery has not changed significantly in many years, and we need to embrace new technologies to improve patient care," she said.