Technology Record - Issue 22: Autumn 2021

175 In remote scenarios, participants can participate from their personal computers.” Patient confidentiality and data privacy are also key considerations for healthcare organisations considering implementing mixed reality. “We have done our utmost to ensure the security of HoloLens,” says Rhew. “We have taken the device through a 10-point security checklist and it has been cleared as a zero-trust device. HoloLens also uses iris recognition for secure sign on, one of the most secure biometric frameworks that exists.” Among those who have overcome these bar- riers, adoption of HoloLens and other mixed reality tools has been widespread. From design, manufacturing, sales and service through to the surgeon and specialist, there is significant oppor- tunity for digital transformation with mixed reality, particularly in facilitating remote com- munication, education and observation. “Whether you are working with a patient, in a pharmacy or on a manufacturing floor, the ability to get the assistance of an expert in real time has been a matter of business conti- nuity and human life for many organisations over this past year,” says Senner. “Microsoft HoloLens enables frontline workers to connect with experts anywhere in the world in under a minute and give that expert the opportunity to see this person’s environment as though they were there, reach into the environment to dig- itally annotate or overlay holographic arrows for instruction, pull in other data for reference and more. Troubleshooting a problem in real time and eliminating travel also creates mas- sive cost savings.” The Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is one of the many healthcare providers that imple- mented HoloLens in this way. After seeing 29 medical staff members working in close proximity during the Covid-19 pan- demic, Dr James Kincross, a consultant surgeon at Imperial College, realised that this established way of working would not be sustainable over the following months. He designed a solution based on HoloLens 2 and Dynamics 365 Remote Assist that would enable medical staff to carry out ward rounds virtually. “I’ve used HoloLens before in surgery and we quickly realised it had a unique role to play because we could take advantage of its hands-free telemedicine capabilities,” said Kincross. “It solved a major problem for us during a crisis, by allowing us to keep treating very ill patients while limiting our exposure to a deadly virus. Not only that, it reduced our personal protective equipment consumption and significantly improved the efficiency of our ward rounds.” On top of facilitating remote communication and telemedicine and accessing the benefits they offer, mixed reality tools are also delivering oppor- tunities for immersive training and workflows. PUB L I C S E C TOR