South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre shortlisted for prestigious awards through partnership with Definition Health

Harrison Gaiger | September 2024

We are excited to announce that our clients, the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC), have been shortlisted for several prestigious awards, reflecting the significant impact of our innovative digital health solutions. Together, our work has been recognised across three of the healthcare industry’s most respected award programmes, highlighting the transformation in patient care and safety achieved through our Lifebox and Recovery solutions.

At the core of these nominations is a recent study conducted at SWLEOC, where our digital solutions played a pivotal role in overhauling the post-operative care pathway for patients undergoing elective hip and knee replacement surgeries. This research demonstrated substantial improvements in patient safety, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability, setting a new standard for how digital tools can support recovery.

The HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2024 has shortlisted SWLEOC in three key categories: Early-stage Patient Safety Innovation of the Year, Patient Safety in Elective Recovery Award, and Safety Improvement through Technology Award. These awards, a highlight in the UK’s healthcare calendar, celebrate the very best initiatives aimed at enhancing patient safety. Winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony on 16th September 2024 in Manchester.

Additionally, SWLEOC’s innovative use of Definition Health’s digital solutions has earned a nomination for the HSJ Awards 2024 in the Digitising Patient Care Award category. Known as the largest and most prestigious healthcare awards in the UK, the HSJ Awards recognise outstanding contributions to healthcare excellence. The winners of these awards will be announced on 21st November 2024 at a ceremony in London.

Our collaboration has also been acknowledged by the Nursing Times Awards 2024, where SWLEOC is shortlisted in the Theatre and Surgical Nursing category. These awards honour excellence and innovation in nursing, shining a light on initiatives that significantly improve patient care. The ceremony will take place on 30th October 2024 in London.

Study Overview

The study that underpins these nominations focused on implementing a personalised recovery pathway using Definition Health’s Recovery solution. Key highlights include:

• Remote Monitoring: Patients self-reported their pain levels, functionality, and wound recovery through a digital diary, which was continuously monitored by clinical teams to provide timely and individualised care.

• Efficiency Gains: Consultant wait times were reduced from 16 weeks to 12 weeks, allowing for more timely follow-ups and better resource allocation. The study found that 92% of patients were suitable for discharge to a Patient-Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) pathway, saving 221 consultant clinic slots, equating to 22 full-day clinics.

• Improved Patient Safety: Infection rates for Total Hip Replacement (THR) and Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgeries showed a declining trend, and readmission rates were below the national median, highlighting the effectiveness of the Recovery solution in detecting complications early.

• Environmental Impact: The shift to remote monitoring resulted in a reduction of 540 kg of carbon emissions, approximately 2.5 kg of carbon saved per patient, as fewer in-person follow-ups were required.

• Positive Feedback: Patient feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many patients appreciating the reassurance of being closely monitored remotely. Staff also viewed the Recovery solution as a significant improvement, enhancing patient safety and allowing for more proactive and personalised care.

Boudine Pearce, Strategic Lead for Elective Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Services at SWLEOC, commented on the partnership: “SWLEOC and Definition Health have worked very closely to develop a remote monitoring post-operative pathway that is much safer, and more interactive and efficient for patients. The two-way conversation really alleviates patients’ anxiety and they have confidence in their recovery. The clinical team is able to identify and escalate any concerns immediately and the patient has access to the right clinician at the right time, with significant improvement in outpatient clinic capacity.”

In response to the nominations, Dr Sandeep Chauhan, CEO of Definition Health said: “SWLEOC’s shortlistings for these esteemed awards highlight the transformative impact that Definition Health’s digital solutions have had on patient care. These achievements are a testament not only to the power of our technology but also to the unwavering support and dedication of the SWLEOC clinical staff, who have enthusiastically embraced these innovations to enhance their working practices. Together, we have achieved remarkable improvements in patient safety and operational efficiency. We are proud to support their efforts and look forward to continuing our partnership in advancing healthcare excellence.”

As we await the announcement of the winners, these nominations underscore the significant impact that innovative digital solutions can have on patient care. SWLEOC’s success, supported by our technology, reaffirms our commitment to advancing healthcare and highlights the potential of patient-centric digital pathways to transform outcomes.

For more information about our research or to learn how Definition Health’s digital health solutions can benefit your organisation, please contact us using the form below.