Why one US Hospital is deploying a Holobox

Crescent Regional Hospital in Lancaster, Texas, is leveraging 3D hologram technology to enhance patient care access.

Known as the Holobox, this technology is developed by Holoconnects, a provider of holographic solutions. Initially used in the hospitality industry, it allows doctors to “teleport” as life-sized 3D holograms and interact with patients in real-time, according to Raji Kumar, managing partner and CEO at Crescent Regional Hospital, in a discussion with Becker’s.

Ms. Kumar explained that the adoption of this technology in healthcare was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth, with patients becoming more comfortable with virtual consultations,” she noted.

This trend led Crescent Medical Center Lancaster to seek out new technologies to further enhance patient care, particularly in remote and rural areas.

While searching for advanced solutions, Crescent Medical Center Lancaster discovered Holobox. Following a visit to Holoconnects’ production facility in Amsterdam, they began adapting the technology for medical purposes. The initial application enabled surgeons to conduct post-operative visits without needing to travel to the hospital.

“Dallas has numerous hospitals, and our surgeons often travel long distances,” Ms. Kumar said. “With Holobox, they can now clearly see their patients, examine incisions, monitor drains, and observe muscle movements — all virtually.”

The success of this initial use led to additional developments. Crescent Medical Center is now collaborating with the Fallen Officers Foundation to outfit a mobile van with Holobox technology, providing specialist consultations in rural areas and enhancing access to advanced medical care.

Furthermore, Crescent is deploying this technology in critical access hospitals for immediate specialist consultations.

“When a rural hospital patient needs a specialist, they can now have a 3D consultation with our interventional cardiologist or surgeon, offering significant relief and clarity to both patients and their families,” Ms. Kumar said.

The ease of use of Holobox technology has facilitated its adoption. According to Ms. Kumar, healthcare professionals find it user-friendly with minimal training required.

“Our physicians were initially skeptical, but after seeing 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 forward, Crescent Medical Center is considering even more advanced applications of the technology. The hospital plans to integrate it with the nurse call system and project holograms directly into patient rooms. Ms. Kumar highlighted the need to continually innovate in 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 hasn’t changed significantly in many years, and we need to embrace new technologies to improve patient care,” she said.

Original text by Naomi Diaz for Beckers Hospital Review