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Tygerberg robot gets up close and personal with Covid-19 patients

The recent addition of a telepresence robot at Tygerberg Hospital earlier this month has promoted better communication between doctors and Covid-19 patients, according to prof Coenie Koegelenberg, from Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The telepresence robot, Quintin, was lent to the hospital by the Sunskill Laboratory. The robot was to assist so that if critical-team members fell ill and became housebound, they would still be able to make their ward rounds virtually, through Quintin. This is according to prof Ian Vlok, head of the neurosurgical ICU at Tygerberg.

Although Quintin’s original purpose was to help doctors make their ward rounds virtually, the doctors at Tygerberg noticed that they could communicate better to patients through Quintin, said Koegelenberg.

“It is actually more personal than talking to a patient through an N95 mask, which if properly fitted, makes it difficult to communicate as your voice is quite muffled,” said Koegelenberg.

The robot is essentially an iPad with a zoom camera that is fitted on top and a speaker on the bottom. This allows robot controllers to enhance the sound and quality of the image, according to Koegelenberg.

Each member of the team can sign in through a login system provided they have access to some sort of terminal, said Vlok.

Quintin the robot

Quintin was made by Double Robotics. Photo: Stellenbosch University

“[Quintin] is actually the face of a doctor. Whereas the other doctors and nurses in the room are completely covered up,” said Koegelenberg.

 The protective gear that doctors must wear ensures that there is almost no skin showing, so the robot’s presence helps to communicate with patients who are awake, Koegelenberg said.

The robot remains in the ICU, and is charged via a docking station, Koegelenberg said.

 “I can see a great future for this type of technology,” he said. 

Recently, Quintin has gained a new colleague, Salma, another telepresence robot donated to the hospital, who will now join him on his rounds, said Koegelenberg.

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