How to Set Up the Best Patient Entertainment Experience

01What’s the best patient entertainment setup?

When selecting ceiling-mounted patient entertainment systems for the offices we design and build, I wanted modern options that were also straightforward enough that there wasn’t much fuss on the staff side.

02Setup 1: ceiling TV, entertainment only

1. 1
   Low-latency Bluetooth audio transmitterLow latency matters because mismatched audio and video is distracting. The transmitter (see example) installs behind the ceiling TV, using the TV’s USB port for power and the optical audio out for sound. Nice and clean.
2. 2
   Noise-cancelling headphonesSimple design and function (see example). You don’t need a high-end unit; you want something inexpensive to replace after drops, accidents, or if they grow legs.
3. 3
   Disposable headphone coversThey work out to roughly $0.25 per pair (see example). This setup takes under 30 seconds to pair, and once set up, assistants rarely touch more than the power button. Watch the YouTube guide.
4. 4
   Ceiling TVWe chose 32-inch TCL Roku TVs (see example), which have Roku smart features built in and a very thin bezel, at about $129 in 2020.

03Setup 2: 6 o’clock TV mirrored to the ceiling TV

1. 1
   Media playerWe recommend a Roku Stick or Roku Ultra (see example). You need one centralized player to drive two TVs from a single audio/video source.
2. 2
   HDMI duplication package (consult your IT)This typically means a 35-foot and a 25-foot HDMI run. Run these cables while your low-voltage, Cat6, and sound cabling goes in. The media player and a 2-to-1 HDMI duplicator live behind the 6 o’clock TV. Patients start watching on the 6 o’clock screen when they sit down, then seamlessly pick up on the ceiling TV once they’re reclined.

04Common issues and a pro tip

• Reconnection: expect to re-pair headphones about once a year.
• Charging: the headphones run on batteries, so add charging to your end-of-day checklist in the employee manual.
• Pro tip: set the ceiling TV to show subtitles whether or not the patient wants headphones. Patients who skip headphones will appreciate it, and it’s a great distraction.