Using interactive TVs to spread kindness during virus isolation

[March 21, 2020] The COVID-19 pandemic is putting hospitals — and their patients — in unprecedented situations.

Henry Ford Health System has set up a platform for community members to share well wishes with patients who may be in isolation and feeling lonely due to visitor restrictions. Messages to patients are displayed on a dedicated TV channel, deployed through the SONIFI Health system.

“Our patients need to know they are not forgotten, and that people care about them,” said Bob Riney, Henry Ford Health System’s president of healthcare operations.

“It is our hope the well wishes we collect and share on the in-room televisions will bring a smile to their faces during what we know is a very challenging time for them.”

Since the program’s launch, community members have shared more than 5,000 messages with patients.

Learn more on Henry Ford Health System’s website.

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The Well Wishes program has also been featured on:

• WDIV
• WWJ-TV
• JTV
• The Voice
• WJBK
• The News-Herald