Shriners Hospitals for Children Uses Telehealth Tech for Holiday Wish Lists

As many of the patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children were unable to visit Santa this month, the hospitals in Erie, Pa.; Houston; Philadelphia; and Portland, Ore. partnered with IT service provider Dimension Data to bring the North Pole to patients.

Using advanced video technology that’s also used in telehealth applications, the hospitals offered patients the opportunity to share their wish lists during a virtual Santa visit. The interactions were enabled, in real-time, using HD cameras and microphones, and large screen televisions helped create an immersive and seamless experience, according to the hospitals. 

“Santa and healthcare professionals are both in high demand,” Jim Hirt, SVP, marketing and alliances, Dimension Data Americas, said. “Whether it’s a visit from the North Pole or an important check-in with a specialist, technology has changed the way doctors, caregivers and even Santa Claus can interact with patients and children all over the world.”