Abstract Introduction Burn survivors require significant assistance in physical functions and independence during their recovery and rehabilitation phase. Amputation, splints, bulky dressings, and pain attribute to limited or lack of hand mobility. Voice activated tools (VAT) have rapidly grown in popularity including in healthcare. Prior to the implementation of this project, patients mostly depended on soft touch call lights which were suboptimal for most patients. We piloted VAT to assist in hand functions of patients with limited or lack of hand mobility. Methods The project was piloted in collaboration with IT, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, and patients’ family. IT enabled with uninterrupted source of wireless network connection in the patients’ room. Voice assistance was incorporated both through mobile phone and an added virtual assistant tool. Patients’ personal devices were used to promote utilization of stored information in the device. Occupational therapist assisted in mounting the device through a spring clamp and gooseneck cell phone holder to visualize the device screen. Speech therapists, nurses, and patient family helped in training the patient to voice appropriate commands. The patient utilized VAT for a wide variety of purposes including calling nurses, ordering hospital meals, phone calls, music, web browsing, and more. A survey was done to evaluate health care team’s opinion on VAT usage. Results Of the total burn team members, 34 (77%) staff responded to the survey including physicians, nurses, therapists, and nursing assistants. All survey responders reported VAT as a useful tool to be offered to all future patients with limited hand mobility. Majority (74%) of responders witnessed or participated in the successful use of VAT during the pilot period. Survey participants reported three reasons for the current soft touch call light system to be suboptimal: 1.Too sensitive, 2. Not all patients can use it 3. Conclusions Voice activated tool can be successfully utilized for assisting patients with limited hand mobility considering the current available tool is suboptimal. Adoption of a simple and popular technology of VAT can be easily incorporated in hospitals through collaboration of health care team. Applicability of Research to Practice Use of VAT could be successfully implemented for other hospital units including paralyzed patients, blind, and patients with orthopedic conditions or trauma to hands. Additionally, VAT could be incorporated in to rehabilitation and home training of patients with limited hand mobility. Further, VAT could be considered in the designing and planning of hospitals.
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