A special mobile app, mymobility, is helping improve the way orthopaedic patients in Teesside prepare for surgery and recover afterwards.
We are now offering our joint replacement patients (knee and hip) the option of using the mymobility platform.
The technology can be used by a patient on their smartphones. It is allowing health staff to support patients with education and advice both before and after surgery.
Since the Trust started offering patients use of the app in February, more than 150 patients have enrolled.
Jacky Harbottle, from Blackhall, had knee replacement surgery at the University Hospital of Hartlepool earlier this year. She said: “The platform gave me day-by-day steps about what to expect before surgery and guidance over what to do after surgery.
“I have had surgery before and I know the fantastic support the orthopaedic team gave me. But this was an extra help.
“It meant all of the paperwork was on my phone in one place. From the daily countdown to the day of surgery, to the exercises it prompted me to do step-by-step, it really was so helpful.
“I think without it I would not have been as prepared for surgery and I would not have recovered as quick afterwards.”
mymobility rollout
The rollout of the app has been led by both orthopaedic consultant Anwar Jafri and registrar Mo Helmy with support from the wider elective service. It is a collaboration between the Trust, Apple and Zimmer-Biomet.
Mr Jafri said: “The mymobility platform complements the care the team give to our patients, allowing tailored information and guidance to be delivered remotely.
“Before surgery, it helps patients understand their condition, how to help themselves be ready for their operation and how to prepare for their recovery.
“Recovery after surgery is a significant challenge for us. mymobility helps us create a care plan, scheduled exercises, reminders and progress reports.
“Our team can monitor this and change the activity plan if needed. Smartphone technology also allows us to monitor activity levels, steps, stand hours and floors climbed. Enhanced biometrics can be collected for patients with wearables.
“The app is already delivering huge benefits to our patients.”
Dr Helmy added: “This project took more than a year to get off the ground with the goal of improving patient experience with digitisation and collaboration. We hope to spread this to other clinical areas.
It is also helping other teams improve the care they deliver, including the Trust’s Homeward service who prepare patients for joint replacement surgery.
Leeann Thomson, specialist nurse in the team, said: “We are on hand for our patients whenever they need us. We are that point of contact if they have any questions or concerns.
“The mymobility platform has helped reassure our patients and given us a central place to store all of the significant amount of information we give them.
“From the video demonstrations to the regular notifications to exercise, it has enhanced the care we provide.”