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iGetBetter Inc. teams up with AliMed Inc. to offer Telehealth and Remote Monitoring Solutions for Seniors living at home or in assisted home residences. HealthAppBuildr has been selected as the framework for the entire remote monitoring solution with iGB being elected as lead technology integrator. Learn more at https://www.alihlth.com

We are pleased to announce our first software release for 2022 for HealthAppBuildr with some very exciting new functionality:

Push Notifications:

The App is now able to send daily instructions and reminders via push notifications to the patient. The patient can receive care content outside of the native app and provide feedback to certain questions, surveys etc. Each evening push reminders will be sent out when patients did not yet report any progress.

Google Android Support

The App is now available as Android native app and can be connected to the Google Fit ecosystem to upload fitness and health data.

iGetBetter’s Remote Physiologic Monitoring Solution for Same Day Discharge (SDD ) Arthroplasty Patients allows Brigham and Women’s Hospital to safely shift Care from Hospital to Home – A Pilot Study

September 2021

Abstract: The purposes of this pilot study ( conducted by the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA ) to utilize digital remote monitoring to (a) evaluate the usability and satisfaction of a wireless blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) monitor and (b) determine whether these data can enable safe mobilization at home after same-day discharge (SDD) joint replacement. A population of 23 SDD patients undergoing uni-compartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), or total hip arthroplasty (THA) were given a cellular BP/HR monitor, with real-time data capture. Patients took three readings after surgery, observing for specific blood pressure decreases, HR increases, or hypotensive symptoms. If any criteria applied, patients followed a hydration protocol and delayed ambulation. Home coaching was also provided to each patient. Patient experience was surveyed, and responses were assessed using descriptive statistics. Of 18 patients discharged (78%), 17 returned surveys, of which 100% reported successful device operation. The mean “ease of use” rating was 8.9/10; satisfaction with home coaching was 9.7/10; and belief that the protocol improved patient safety was 8.4/10. A total of 27.8% (n = 5) had hypotensive readings and appropriately delayed ambulation. Our pilot findings support the feasibility of and confirm the satisfaction with remote monitoring after SDD arthroplasty. All patients with symptoms of hypotension were successfully remotely managed using a standardized hydration protocol prior to safe mobilization.

Same Day Discharge (SDD) after atrhroplasty has emerged as a promising model to optimize both convenience and cost, creating potential savings of 30%, or up to USD 8,500 per patient, driven by decreased surgical floor care, patient meals, inpatient pharmacy, and inpatient physical therapy.

Concurrent to this outpatient shift is a growing interest in web-based platforms for follow-up assessments, patient education, seamless communication, and coaching. Devices to collect real-time biometric data have been introduced into clinical care, measuring blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and blood glucose [13,14]. Wearable trackers can monitor post-operative daily step count [15], while physician–patient messaging platforms can monitor wound appearance [16]. In SDD arthroplasty, there is significant opportunity to utilize these digital health tools to optimize post-operative recovery for patients at home. For example, hypotension, or “orthostatic intolerance”, after arthroplasty remains a key impediment to mobilization, posing increased risk of falls, prosthesis fractures, and fainting [17]. Digital health tools that could identify hypotensive patients have yet to be introduced to minimize these risks. One of the key aspects of implementing these tools is usability [18]. Before launching initiatives that incorporate digital health technology, appropriate diligence must be taken to understand the patient experience, predict barriers to adoption, and validate efficacy.

The study concludes that findings suggest that there is high feasibility, compliance, and patient satisfaction with remote monitoring after same-day total joint arthroplasty. Nearly 30% of our patients demonstrated post-operative hypotension, as monitored with a cellular device. After delayed mobilization and standardized hydration, these patients were successfully remotely mobilized without complications. After further validation, this protocol may start to bridge the existing gap between convenience and quality in same-day discharge recovery.

iGetBetter offers a complete solution of sensors ( in this case cellular BPM’s ) which do not require any setup at home and the clinical dashboard monitoring patients from anywhere including video / tele-chat communication functionality. The solution is fully HIPAA conform and cost – effective. Please contact us for a demo.

Read the entire study here:

September 12 2021

iGetBetter releases Fall Software Release with availability of Apple HealthKit integration, 6 Min. Walk Test functionality and minor UI improvements.

Apple HealthKit provides a central repository for health and fitness data on iPhone and Apple Watch. With the patient’s permission, iGetBetter now communicates with the HealthKit to access and present important health data. Apple Health Data can either be imported by the care provider via a background physiologic plan or be pushed by the patient when enabled. In any case, at first use, the patient will consent to allow to share Apple health data with Health App Buildr/iGetBetter. Patients may disable HealthKit data flow in the setting section of the APP at any time.  

The 6 Min. Walk Test (6MWT) can be described as a test of functional status or fitness of patients. It is used as a simple measure of aerobic exercise capacity. The results of this test may or may not lead the physician to do more sophisticated measures of heart and lung functions. During this test, the patient walks at normal pace for six minutes. This test can be used to monitor patients’ response to treatments for heart, lung and other health problems. This test is commonly used for people with pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, pre-lung transplant evaluation or COPD. Usually, the test has been performed under supervision of the care personal. Now, with iGB, these tests can be performed by the patient at home. The patient holds the smart phone while walking and optionally wear an Apple Watch or finger pulse-ox device to measure HR and O2 saturation. The App guides the patient through the test and times the exercise.