Trinity Health Creates Virtual Connections for Those in Isolation

LIVONIA, MICH., June 4, 2020 --- To increase patients’ access to their clinicians and loved ones during a time of social distancing and isolation, more than 3,000 iPads have been deployed across Trinity Health hospitals and continuing care facilities.

Trinity Health embraces a culture that nurtures a healing, safe environment for all, especially during this time of social distancing and required isolation, where clinicians cannot provide care in a traditional setting and patients may be isolated due to COVID-19.

“As we respond to COVID-19, the health and safety of our patients, employees and providers remain our top priority,” said Marcus Shipley, senior vice president, Innovation, and chief information officer, Trinity Health. “The creative use of this consumer technology allows our patients to connect with their loved ones while visitation is restricted. It is also protecting colleagues delivering care and preserving personal protective equipment.”

One Trinity Health colleague who was instrumental in deploying the iPads knows firsthand the importance of these tools. Jeff Poiner, director, Digital Product Delivery, Trinity Health, lost his mother due to COVID-19 complications on April 12, 2020, and was able to say good-bye by using a secure video connection from Trinity Health.

“My entire family had the opportunity to say good-bye to my mom,” said Poiner. “This really became a passion for me when I had that experience. I didn’t want anyone in the United States to not have that opportunity to say goodbye or connect with their loved ones during challenging times. I’m not sure where I would be today if I wasn’t able to have said goodbye.”

If patients do not have their own smart devices while hospitalized, their nurse assists by using the iPad to securely connect the patient with their loved ones, reducing social isolation.

“Our sincere appreciation for the front-line staff who were willing to bring us virtually to my mom, to hold her hand for us and their dedication to help us bring closure,” said Poiner. “None of this would have been possible without them.”

Thanks to the quick work from the information technology and clinical informatics teams across all Trinity Health facilities, the iPads were able to be purchased, deployed and set up within a matter of days directly on the COVID-19 units.

Another important use for the secure iPads is virtual rounding between patients and their care providers. Patients admitted to a Trinity Health hospital with COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19 can connect virtually and securely with their providers, reducing exposure to hospital staff. Providers and nursing staff talk with these patients to address their needs from nursing workstations on medical floors or use their personal devices using secure multi-factor authentication.

Providers, clinicians and other teams can also connect directly with one another securely to reduce potential exposure and to promote social distancing within the clinical setting.

The virtual rounding and ability to connect patients with their loved ones complements the outpatient telehealth options offered by Trinity Health medical groups. In an outpatient setting, patients can connect by starting a visit to ask questions online and a provider is able to send a treatment plan; a patient can schedule an online video visit with a provider at a time that is convenient for the patient or they can begin a free COVID-19 self-assessment to determine risk level and next steps for the patient.

Learn more about virtual care options at Trinity Health

Learn more about how Trinity Health is helping our communities deal with COVID-19

About Trinity Health


Trinity Health is one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation, serving diverse communities that include more than 30 million people across 22 states. Trinity Health includes 92 hospitals, as well as 106 continuing care locations that include PACE programs, senior living facilities and home care and hospice services. Its continuing care programs provide nearly 2.5 million visits annually. Based in Livonia, Michigan, and with annual operating revenues of $19.3 billion and assets of $27 billion, the organization returns $1.2 billion to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. Trinity Health employs about 125,000 colleagues, including about 7,500 employed physicians and clinicians. For more information, visit www.trinity-health.org. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter.