RVH Launches New App To Help Ortho Patient Recovery

Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), with the boost of a one-time Ontario Health funding grant, has launched a customized app that supports total joint replacement orthopaedic patients from pre-operation through recovery.

The Seamless MD app, accessible on any smartphone, tablet or computer,replaces the previous care model that required mandatory in-person education classes and a hard copy patient handbook.

The app offers patients virtual check-ins pre-op, day of surgery and post-op to identify medical concerns and track medication and pain management. It monitors side effects to help catch complications sooner and therefore improve overall patient outcomes. Other features include automated self-management recommendations based on patient self-reported symptoms with personalized self-care education and the ability for a caregiver to be enrolled to assist in the patient’s journey.

The Hip and Knee-specific version of the app launched the week of February 14 with 29 patient enrollees. The Shoulder-specific version launched March 8.

The next step involves the creation of patient education videos broken down by specific topics (e.g., pain management, hip pre-operative, etc.) that contain all the information taught in-person education classes. They will be uploaded directly to RVH website for public access

“The app allows our patients to receive focused education at the right time in their surgical journey,” says RVH Surgery Program Medical Director Dr. John Rissanen. “This will help patients manage their surgical recovery with the ongoing support of their surgeon and other health care providers via SeamlessMD.”

Patients who do not wish to use the app or access website for videos will receive all the necessary information in a hard copy patient handbook and be connected by phone with Ortho Patient Navigators who can assist them with any questions.