NorthWestern Energy Donates iPads to Keep HRMC Patients Connected

May 18, 2020, NorthWestern Energy Donates iPads to Keep HRMC Patients Connected

Huron, S.D. – To help ensure patients can remain connected with their families during the COVID-19 pandemic, NorthWestern Energy recently donated two Apple iPads to Huron Regional Medical Center.

“In the early moments of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became obvious that healthcare professionals would be required to change the way they treat patients, interact with other doctors, and communicate with the families that were impacted,” said Tom Glanzer, NorthWestern Energy Community Relations Manager. “HRMC expressed the need for upgraded video conferencing technology, and our simple gift of Apple iPads helped them set up needed communication tools that have become a staple of health care during this pandemic.”

Helping patients stay connected.

The donated tablets will be utilized to help support patients who may be alone due to visitor restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients can use the iPads, which are mounted on stands, to Zoom with their families to see loved ones, celebrate new babies, or just keep in touch with friends. Additionally, staff may utilize the iPads for language services using video interpreter services, as well as provider-to-provider or provider-to-patient communication in the event of a surge of COVID-19 positive patients.

“We are grateful for this gift and the generosity of NorthWestern Energy,” said Kim Rieger, HRMC vice president of marketing & communications. “Connection with family and friends is so important to the healing process – especially during this difficult time.”