New app makes surgery prep simpler

Source: http://phnews.org.au/

20/09/21

Patients going into surgery are often given an overwhelming amount of information: how to prepare, what or when to eat, and what’s going to happen on the day.

Now an app is taking the guesswork out of surgery prep for patients – and it is helping them recover as well.

Zimmer Biomet has launched mymobility® with Apple Watch, a remote-care management system.

The app allows patients to connect with their surgeon through their smartphone and Apple Watch and offers prompts from the surgeon to complete tasks or give reminders about pre-and post-operative care. 

A Zimmer Biomet spokeswoman said the app was proving popular.

“It was first launched about a year ago and we now have more than 150 surgeons on it and about 3,000 patients have used the app,” she said.

“It’s perfect for the times we’re living through now when we’re not meant to be moving around the community so much, and of course for people who live in remote areas it’s great.”

Through the app, surgeons can provide a customised care plan for the patient, with activities and a daily 'to-do list'. 

The patient also receives notifications reminding them of what’s on their list for that day, and their progress is tracked throughout the course of their care.

Patients can share photos with their surgeon, such as a snapshot of the surgical incision site, so the care team can make an assessment.

Data that tracks the patient’s progress is automatically sent to the surgeon’s dashboard.

Patients must have their own compatible mobile device to use mymobility®, and not all patients are candidates for unsupervised physiotherapy, so surgeons need to evaluate which people are suitable for this pathway.

Care plans are available for knee, hip, shoulder and ankle replacements, plus sports medicine.

“We’re definitely looking to expand this program, the telemedicine aspect of it is proving very popular,” the Zimmer Biomet spokeswoman said.

Disclaimer: mymobility® can only be used under the direction of a healthcare professional.