Inova Mount Vernon’s virtual reality success to be replicated at Children’s Hospital

Inova Mount Vernon’s virtual reality kits feature a library of guided meditations, 360-degree tours of exotic locations, and immersive games (Inova Mount Vernon Hospital image)

In spring 2017 — about six months after Inova Mount Vernon Hospital debuted its new state-of-the-art Veatch Family Emergency Room (ER)— the facility introduced another technological innovation: virtual reality (VR) kits.

Designed to help reduce patient anxiety and pain in a non-pharmacological way, the kits feature a library of guided meditations, 360-degree tours of exotic locations, and immersive games that keep both children and adults distracted and relaxed while they undergo treatment. The VR kits consist of a smartphone, headset and headphones, which the nursing staff help set up for appropriate patients. Two of the kits are available at the Inova Mount Vernon ER, while the others are in use at the Lorton Healthplex’s ER.

Inova Mount Vernon’s VR initiative soon will expand to Inova Children’s Hospital in Falls Church as well, based on initial results showing how the kits have improved pain management, reduced costs, provided a strong competitive advantage for the hospital and delivered a better overall patient experience.

Dr. Everett Embrey, chairman of emergency services at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, said the solution has been particularly useful with pediatric patients.

“Children tend to be concerned about whether they’ll get stuck with a needle or whatever might happen to them, and even something like putting an IV in or cleaning a wound can make them more anxious than adults,” he said. “Using the virtual reality equipment really helps relieve their stress and anxiety.”

Inova Mount Vernon’s technology was recently featured on ABC7; Watch the news clip here. Take a virtual tour of the Veatch Family ER here.