New Digital Platform Supports Post-Discharge Patient Care

A new smartphone app helps patients better manage their own care, potentially reducing hospital readmissions rates and improving emergency services in the process.

The Light-Touch tool is intended for patients to use after their hospital discharge, independently and with minimal clinician guidance or involvement. Following a simple invite and registration process, patients can track their own care experience, including noting symptoms, recommended treatments, medication schedules, and even a photo and text led progress diary. Gaining access to their own care data as captured supports patient confidence, and encourages people to ask more questions about their care journey.

During follow-up treatment, the tool enables transparency and open communication between patients and doctors, preventing any confusion around medication instructions and enhancing the potential for shared-decision making. In addition to the patient empowerment benefits, guided treatment questions enable healthcare teams to specifically inquire into the patient experience. The data can be downloaded and collated into digestible reports, and channeled for future service improvements. The Light-Touch tool was developed by the Picker Institute (oxford, United Kingdom) and umotif (London, United Kingdom).

“If you consider that 41% of people were not told key medication side effects when discharged, you can begin to see why avoidable emergency hospital readmissions are costing the NHS an astounding £ 1.6 billion per year, and rising,” said Philip Stylianides, director of the Picker Institute. “Understanding someone’s patient experience is essential for teams’ to learn the strengths and weaknesses of the care they provide.”

“Active, engaged patients are more likely to comply with their treatment plan and therefore less likely to be readmitted. Forward-looking healthcare organizations understand the value and importance of a data-driven approach to the measurement, delivery, and improvement of services,” said Bruce Hellman, CEO of umotif. “Our tool allows staff and patients to truly understand and evaluate the care provided, and we are incredibly proud to be partners with the Picker Institute in such a necessary and innovative initiative.”

Related Links:
Picker Institute
umotif