Abbott uses mixed reality experiences to attract more blood donors

Virtual settings used to take the create calmer spaces for participants

Life

Nuala Haughian from Abbott introduces Caoimhe Byrne from Kildare to the Mixed Reality Intergalatica game at the National Blood Centre, Dublin

Global healthcare company Abbott is encouraging more people to give blood through the use of a new tool – mixed reality.

The company has revealed two new mixed reality experiences to support the need for more blood, platelet and plasma donations in Ireland. The experiences aim to reduce fear in donors and encourage more younger people to donate.

Only 3% of people eligible in Ireland donate blood, yet 3,000 blood donors are needed every week and one in four people in Ireland will require donated blood at some point in their lifetime. Just one donation can save up to three lives.

A study with two blood centres in the US found that the use of mixed reality decreased anxiety in 68% of donors and 89% of donors reported they were very or extremely likely to donate again.

Participants wear lightweight headsets with a translucent visor, so the eyes of donors are always visible to clinical staff, ensuring constant monitoring and evaluation.

The experiences come in two forms, one a science-fiction game and the other a more calming virtual setting.

Intergalactica has donors build a team of robots to explore planets, solve puzzles, and defeat enemies. In the second experience, Zen Garden, donors listen to soothing music while planting seeds. Both experiences will be piloted in partnership with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) for a limited time, between May and June.

Joana Araujo, global marketing director, transfusion medicine, Abbott said: “As a global leader in health technology, Abbott is always exploring new ways in which innovations can help improve the donor experience. These headsets balance complex computing with a simple insight – many people fear donating blood and mixed reality technology makes it easier to donate blood by giving the donors something else to focus on while they give blood. We hope that the improved experience leads to more people wanting to donate blood in Ireland.”

Paul McKinney, director of donor services and Logistics, IBTS, said: “This innovative technology introduces a gaming-like experience which evidence and feedback suggests makes blood, platelet and plasma donation less intimidating and more fun for the donor. We also hope it will encourage many people, of all ages, who want to donate but have been nervous about doing so in the past.”

TechCentral Reporters

Read More: Abbott medtech MR virtual reality VR