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Patients at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg can stay in digital contact with their relatives via tablets. The purchase was possible thanks to donations

An encouraging word or smile, relatives holding your hand - that's good for many patients during a hospital stay. Due to the strict visiting regulations for hospitals during the corona pandemic, personal contact with loved ones is only possible to a very limited extent for inpatients. Since April, several wards at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg have been equipped with tablets that patients can use to speak to their relatives via video call. The purchase was made possible thanks to donations to the Medical Center - University of Freiburg's COVID-19 support program.

"Talking to family or friends is an essential part of recovery, especially during longer hospital stays," explains Nursing Director Helmut Schiffer. "We are therefore delighted that we can now offer patients this opportunity. Many thanks to all donors." At the end of April, one of the tablets was symbolically handed over to the management team of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit of the Department of General and Visceral Surgery at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. A total of ten intensive care and normal wards where COVID patients were treated will each receive a new tablet.

Easy to use for patients and staff

"It helps patients and relatives if they can keep in touch. This can be as simple as a glance or a smile at the camera," says Markus Merkel, ward manager of the surgical intensive care unit. The tablet has already been in use on his ward for a few days. It is easy to wipe and disinfect. A specially purchased cover protects the device and has three handles so that even weakened patients can hold the tablet securely. Staff can also provide support.

"Donating today helps every day"

Donors help to ensure that the Medical Center - University of Freiburg can make the hospital stay as pleasant as possible for all patients through the targeted use of donations. Interested parties can donate conveniently and securely online via the online donation portal: www.uniklinik-freiburg.de/hier-spenden

Corona donation account of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg:

Account holder: Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Bank: Sparkasse Freiburg-Nördlicher Breisgau
IBAN: DE04 6805 0101 0015 0001 50
BIC: FRSPDE66XXX
Purpose: 3411720101

Caption: Keeping in touch despite the pandemic: Deputy Ward Manager Anke Holzer (left) and Ward Manager Markus Merkel (right) from the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg at the symbolic handover of tablets by Deputy Director of Nursing Stefanie Bieberstein (center).
Image rights: Medical Center - University of Freiburg