Basildon critical care unit wins national award
The critical care team at Basildon Hospital have won an award for the help they give to patients with dementia or who are recovering from being in a coma.
The award is for best use of a digital tool called RITA, which stands for Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities.
It is an all-in-one touch-screen system which offers digital therapy through the use of images, music, videos, games and also includes a translation tool.
Roopson Paluri, matron of the critical care unit, said: “It’s been a fantastic boost to the team to be given this award after such a challenging couple of years. The RITA system helps relax, settle and stimulate patients, speeding their recovery. This means they spend less time in hospital and get to go home sooner.
“It has also been used to promote healthy sleep patterns in dementia patients, reducing the number of patients getting up at night, and with it the risk of falls.”
RITA’s translation tool has been valuable in understanding the needs of patients who do not have English as their first language, giving them confidence and reassurance.
Roopson added: “It’s really helped transform patients’ stay with us.”