abc 7 news reporter ansar hassan has more. >> it's incredibly difficult for a family who can't be withheir loved ones at the bedside. >> reporter: as with hospitals across the u.s., ucsf family members can't visit patients since mid march, to reduce the spread of covid-19. one way to help is video chats on ipads. >> i wish i could say that interactions on an ipad are just like being in a room but nothing substitutes that personal connection, even when you can't touch or hug your loved one. your presence is irreplaceable. >> reporter: dr. michelle marat is the vice chair of the department of medicine at ucsf. she has witnessed firsthand the change in patients who have been able to connect with their family via video chat. >> we had one particular gentleman who was having trouble with delirium and to hear and see the voices he recognized was incredibly impactful to his care and i'm pretty confident led to him being able to get his normal mental function back and be able to leave the hospital yesterday. it was really tremendous. >> reporter: dr. marat says using ayn ipad is new but never

abc 7 news reporter ansar hassan has more. >> it's incredibly difficult for a family who can't be with their loved ones at the bedside. >> reporter: as with hospitals across the u.s., ucsf family members can't visit patients since new restrictions went into effect in mid march, the order is to retuesday the spread of covid-19. one way to help lonely patients has been video chats on ipads. >> i wish i could say that interactions on an ipad are just like being in a room but nothing substitutes that personal connection, even when you can't touch or hug your loved one. your presence is irreplaceable. >> reporter: dr. michelle marat is the vice chair of the department of medicine at ucsf. she has witnessed firsthand the change in patients who have been able to connect with their family via video chat. >> we had one particular gentleman who was having trouble with delirium altered sensorium being able to see his family every day, hear the voices he reblgd, a recognized, and the faces that he recognized was incredibly impactful to his care and i'm pretty confident led to him being able to get