Medical app to help N.B. patients recover from surgery
Horizon Health Network expands Seamless MD app for hip and knee replacement patients
Article content
Horizon Health Network is expanding the use of a digital patient journey app to help patients prepare for and recover from hip or knee replacement surgery.
Advertisement 2
Story continues below
Article content
The health authority said in a news release Thursday that beginning this week, patients scheduled for a hip or knee replacement surgery at a Horizon facility will be able to access the SeamlessMD app from their smartphones, tablets, or computer.
The app guides patients before and after surgery with reminders, education, symptom-tracking surveys and videos to help them follow the care plan prescribed by their care team.
Family members and caregivers can also access the app, making it easier to support their loved one.
SeamlessMD was first introduced at the New Brunswick Heart Centre in 2023, where it was used by patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Dr. Patricia Bryden, Horizon’s executive clinical/academic department head and co-leader surgical services and critical care, said in the release the Horizon team is pleased to expand access to SeamlessMD to the app and improve the quality of care.
“Not only does this enhance the patient experience, but it also improves patient safety and reduces anxiety,” she said. “The platform is allowing patients to return home earlier, freeing up hospital beds and reducing the need to cancel procedures due to a lack of bed availability.”
Horizon said one of the health authority’s key priorities is improving patient experiences, and Seamless MD is the latest example.
“This digital tool has proven successful in positively impacting patient users in health care organizations across North America by empowering patients to track and remain better informed of their health care journeys,” said Horizon in the release.
Advertisement 3
Story continues below
Article content
The Seamless MD app approach helps patients stay on track with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, which surgical teams use to help patients achieve the best possible recovery, said Horizon.
Funding to extend SeamlessMD to hip and knee replacement patients was through the Department of Health.
The health app was validated by more than 35 clinical studies and evaluations across multiple specialties to improve patient outcomes by helping them to recover faster and reduce costs, said Horizon, noting the platform generates automated feedback to help facilitate patient self-management.
Seamless MD is being used in other hospitals in Canada, including Grand River Hospital, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Nova Scotia Health Authority, and Trillium Health Partners.
Amy McCavour, Horizon’s vice-president of clinical services, said CAN Health Network came to Horizon with Seamless MD as a solution to help patients stay connected before and after surgery.
Horizon staff help patients sign up for the app. There is an education and pre-surgery component to help them prepare for the procedure and a post-surgery component where patients complete daily health checks.
The feedback from the health checks is sent to staff, who are able to respond and answer questions and concerns.
The app is showing favourable results with the cardiac patients at the heart centre, McCavour said. More than 75 per cent of cardiac patients signed up for the Seamless MD app before their surgery.
“With cardiac, 95 per cent felt more confident with their recovery and 92 per cent felt less worried after surgery,” she said.
Seamless MD can help to reduce surgery complications, re-admissions, and visits to the ER, because the patient has more knowledge and participation in their recovery, said McCavour.
“If you can catch a possible wound infection quick enough you can prescribe antibiotics and they can continue their recovery at home,” she said.
Dr. Patricia Bryden, executive clinical/academic department head, and co-leader of surgical services, said there is no limit to the number of family and caregivers who can sign up for the app to help their loved one.
“It’s kind of real time answers, and I think it does give them some autonomy to their own management but also options they can access information without being concerned,” she said.
McCavour said Horizon is in the process of expanding Seamless MD to other procedures, such as gynecology, colorectal, or spinal. There are about 50 different services that are part of the app.
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.