MS HoloLens2 ™ Technology as a way to reduce time spent in COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit

Background: COVID-19 pandemic imposed an unprecedented workload to intensivists working in COVID-19 dedicated Intensive Care Units (ICUs) leading to multiple health and organisational problems. MS HoloLens2™ is untethered wearable mixed reality (MR) technology device that allows bidirectional communication between multiple remote users via video, voice, and MR composites. It could provide a possibility for a real-time collaboration with senior staff members and experts outside ICU. Aim: To assess the use of MS HoloLens2™ as a way to reduce total time spent in the ICU and number of ICU entries by an intensivist. Method: This pilot unsponsored study was performed in university hospital level 3 COVID-19 dedicated ICU in April 2021. Total time spent in the ICU and number of ICU entries were recorded for every intensivist in the morning shift. Intensivists' overall satisfaction with the device was assessed using a questionnaire. Results: A significant reduction in the average time spent in the ICU per intensivist per shift when using this device was noted (375 ± 46 vs. 252 ± 26 minutes, p < 0.001;Figure 1). The median number of entries into the ICU dropped from 2 to 1. Eighteen intensivists described their experience as satisfying, two reported no difference and 2 were dissatisfied. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the use of MS HoloLens2™ could reduce total time spent in the ICU as well as the number of entries to ICU and is generally accepted by the staff members. Through remote joint decision-making on the treatment of critically ill patients, an opportunity is provided to raise the quality of treatment, which needs to be proven by additional studies. (Figure Presented).