We are excited to share that Metrópoli, a Barcelona-based digital media outlet, has published an article featuring our collaboration with Bellvitge University Hospital. The piece highlights the implementation of the SHX System to create multisensory environments in the hospital’s ICUs, helping patients with post-ICU syndrome, delirium, circadian rhythm regulation, and other therapeutic benefits. In the article, Dr. Francesc Esteve, Head of the Intensive Care Medicine Section at Bellvitge, discusses how these innovative spaces are transforming the care and experience of critically ill patients.
As reported by Metrópoli, Bellvitge is the first hospital worldwide to implement multisensory stimulation in its ICUs. The SHX system synchronizes elements, such as light, sound, visual projections, and vibrations, to create personalized therapeutic environments for patients. With approximately 1,400 ICU patients cared annually, Bellvitge is transforming the traditionally cold and isolating ICU setting into a space that promotes physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being.
With Qinera’s technology, healthcare professionals can tailor the environment to each patient’s needs
As Metrópoli mentioned, the hospital professionals can tailor elements such as lights, sounds, projections, and vibrations to create immersive scenes like quiet forests, calming oceans, or even personalized photos and videos. These environments foster a sense of connection and comfort, helping patients manage the stress and anxiety commonly associated with ICU stays.
Benefits of multisensory environments in ICU’s patients
- Circadian Rhythm Simulations: At Qinera, we created videos that replicate natural day and night cycles. As Metrópoli highlights, sunrise and sunset simulations every 12 hours help patients distinguish between day and night, reducing disorientation and maintaining a sense of time.
- Reducing ICU Delirium: As Metrópoli mentioned, delirium is often caused by disorientation, overstimulating environments, and prolonged immobility which means a significant risk for ICU patients. By creating calming environments through multisensory settings, these can be reduced by 10% to 17%, helping in the recovery process for patients.
- Mitigating Post-ICU Syndrome: As noted by Metrópoli, post-ICU syndrome affects up to 50% of patients after discharge and often involves anxiety, cognitive disorientation, and physical stress. By incorporating sensory stimulation patients regain a sense of normality, reducing long-term complications and improving their overall recovery.
Dr. Francesc Esteve, shared with Metrópoli:
“This sensory, visual, auditory, and tactile stimulation environment helps prevent delirium and modulate painful stimuli, assisting patients in reestablishing their circadian rhythm.”
This project shows our commitment to advancing inclusive and humanized healthcare solutions. As Metrópoli points out, Qinera’s collaboration with Bellvitge has successfully introduced strategies that prioritize not only the patients’ needs but also those of their families.
At Qinera, we are proud to contribute to this transformative initiative. Together with Bellvitge University Hospital, we are creating the way for a more compassionate approach to intensive care that we hope will become a global standard for hospitals.
😉You can read the complete article from Metrópoli here.
👉If you want to learn more about the benefits of Multisensory Environments or see how you could adapt it to your space, therapeutic goals, and users, you can send an email to hello@qinera.com.
