Blood bank to test virtual reality during donations to improve donor experience

Catalonia's blood bank will start testing virtual reality headsets during blood donations to improve the donor's experience.

The organization will start a pilot at Badalona's Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital between July 1 and 18. During the donation, donors will wear VR headsets to help them relax.

This pioneering experience will analyze the feeling of donating blood while enjoying a calm video of the bottom of the sea, experiencing the northern lights, or flying across space.

After finishing the experience, users will conduct a survey, and depending on the results, the pilot scheme will then be implemented in other blood donation centers.

The devices are specially designed for use in medical environments and to be used by several users simultaneously. One year ago, the blood bank did a first test of VR at Badalona's local hospital, which was very well received by participants.