Introduction of augmented reality to the remote wound care nursing consultation system

Abstract

Objective: We implemented augmented reality (AR) in remote consultations for enhanced pressure injury (PI) care in homecare nursing and improved the efficiency of on-site technical education for homecare nurses. The study aimed to depict expert techniques using AR technology to improve PI healing time in a male patient. Method: We developed and implemented a new system that combines a transparent hand with an image and gives an output as a video image in the existing remote consultation software. The system was used to support remote care of PIs by nurses. Results: We succeeded in superimposing the expert nurse's nonverbal hand gestures onto the patient's wound in real time. The visiting nurse's understanding of the system had improved and there was an improvement in the patient's PI healing. Conclusion: These results suggest that remote consultation using AR is effective to observe precise wound care demonstrations of the steps of the PI treatment and provide effective treatment.