Virtual visiting resources for families

How it works:

The Life Lines project offers virtual visiting as a routine option for all family members to connect with their relatives in intensive care when they are not able to visit in person. It uses a secure online platform, aTouchAway™ so that families can connect safely and securely.

Life Lines also gives families the opportunity to ask the clinical team questions, and better understand the environment where they are being treated. 

Families can download the app for iOS or Android (mobile devices) (search for aTouchaway™) or from the Aetonix website for PC or Mac, with the help of the videos and instructions below.

How to set up a video visit with the ICU or ward team

If you have a relative in ICU, the team on the ward can set you up for video visit. If the team have your correct email address, you just need to carry out a few simple steps to get started

1. If using mobile, please go to your Android or iOS app store and download Aetonix aTouchAway app on your smart phone or tablet. If you are using a PC, download aTouchAway
2. Click Create yourself an account and follow instructions to register. You will need an email address.
3. Once signed in, notify the ICU/ward that you have registered in aTouchAway and have the ICU/ward invite you as a patient contact for your relative.
4. You will receive a notification via email and in the aTouchAway app once the ICU/ward has added you as a contact of your relative. Accept the contact request in aTouchAway and you will be ready for a virtual visit. The ICU/ward will inform you when to expect the call.

Setting up aTouchAway - Android version

Setting up aTouchAway - Apple IOS version

If you have a question about the steps above, you can explore the FAQ's page here.

The password rules for the aTouchAway app, featured in the image above, are as follows:

Your chosen password must:

• contain at least 1 uppercase alphabetical character
• contain at least 1 lowercase alphabetical character
• contain at least 1 numeric character
• contain at least 1 special character of the following: !@#$%^&
• be 12 characters or longer
• not contain first or last part of display name
• not contain 3 consecutive identical characters or numbers (ex: aaa, 111)
• not contain more than two sequential characters on a keyboard (ex: qwe, 123)

How your family can communicate with the ICU/ward team

1. You and your family members can sign into the aTouchAway™ App on your smartphone or desktop/Mac using the email and password you have set up
2. The settings are such that audio and video functions may only be initiated by the ICU/ward team, not by a family member
3. aTouchAway™ is a digitally secure platform and the system is password protected to ensure both family and patient data is kept completely safe. To read more about the security, privacy and information governance of the project, visit the Life Lines 'virtual visiting' page here.