The South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC), in partnership with Definition Health, has demonstrated the transformative potential of digital health solutions, successfully implementing a remote surgical care pathway that has improved patient safety, clinical efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
Through their collaboration, SWLEOC has made significant strides in modernising post-operative care, using Definition Health's innovative technology to deliver better patient outcomes and serve as a model for NHS reform.
This success has been recognised at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2024, where SWLEOC won the Virtual or Remote Care Initiative of the Year and the Safety Improvement through Technology Award. They were also highly commended for Patient Safety in Elective Recovery.
Digital transformation in action: SWLEOC’s success story
SWLEOC’s award nominations and subsequent wins were based on the findings of a recent study into the benefits of implementing a virtual ward. The study explored how Definition Health’s Definition Recovery platform provided a personalised recovery pathway, enhancing patient care and efficiency. Key highlights from the study include:
- Remote monitoring for personalised care: Patients self-reported their pain levels, functionality, and wound recovery through digital diaries, monitored by clinical teams for timely and individualised care. This continuous engagement was pivotal in enhancing patient safety and satisfaction.
- Efficiency gains: The use of the Recovery solution helped reduce consultant wait times from 16 weeks to 12 weeks, freeing up resources and improving follow-up times. The study found that 93% of patients were suitable for discharge to a Patient-Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) pathway, saving 520 consultant clinic slots, which equates to 34 half-day clinics (measured over an 8 month-period).
- Improved patient safety: Infection rates for Total Hip Replacement (THR) and Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgeries showed a declining trend, while readmission rates remained below the national median. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the Recovery solution in early detection and management of complications.
- Environmental impact: The move to remote monitoring also contributed to environmental benefits, with a reduction of 1120 kg of carbon emissions, equating to approximately 2 kg of carbon saved per patient. This demonstrates how digital transformation can deliver environmental, as well as patient safety and efficiency benefits, further supporting the NHS’s sustainability goals.
- Positive feedback: Patient feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many appreciating the reassurance provided by being monitored remotely. Staff also viewed the Recovery solution as a significant improvement, allowing for proactive, personalised care and enhancing overall patient safety.
Boudine Pearce, Strategic Lead for Elective Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Services at SWLEOC, commented: “SWLEOC and Definition Health have worked closely to develop a remote monitoring post-operative pathway that is much safer, 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.”
Media and industry recognition for digital health innovation
SWLEOC’s achievements using Definition Health’s Smart Surgery Solution have garnered recognition across the healthcare industry. Their success has also attracted attention from national media, with BBC News and ITV News highlighting virtual wards as a key solution to some of the NHS’s most pressing challenges.
The BBC recently covered digital solutions for NHS transformation in their report, Six NHS Schemes That Could Help Fix the Health Service, including SWLEOC’s use of virtual wards, showcasing how this technology is helping to reduce surgical delays and improve recovery outcomes for patients.
Similarly, ITV News highlighted SWLEOC’s use of Definition Health's virtual ward solution, emphasising the positive impact of remote monitoring on patient safety and engagement during post-operative care. These features have positioned SWLEOC and Definition Health as leaders in driving innovation within the NHS, providing a blueprint for how digital solutions can transform surgical care across the UK.
A blueprint for NHS reform
The Darzi report, an independent investigation into the state of the NHS, calls for a radical shift towards digital transformation to address rising demands and inefficiencies in healthcare. It highlights that solutions like virtual wards and remote monitoring are essential for ensuring the future viability of NHS services. This aligns closely with SWLEOC’s approach to patient care, which uses Definition Health’s technology to modernise the surgical pathway. SWLEOC’s success demonstrates how digital transformation can deliver tangible improvements in patient safety, resource allocation, and environmental impact - offering a blueprint for other healthcare providers as they strive to modernise and optimise care delivery.
Sandeep Chauhan, CEO and Co-Founder of Definition Health, commented: “Our collaboration with SWLEOC demonstrates the power of digital health technology in transforming patient care. By using our virtual wards and post-operative monitoring solutions, we’re seeing measurable improvements in patient outcomes and hospital efficiency. As the NHS continues its digital journey, we look forward to helping more healthcare providers leverage these technologies to deliver safer, more efficient care.”
In addition to their recent awards, SWLEOC has been nominated for further prestigious honours including being shortlisted in the HSJ Awards Digitising Patient Care Award category and a Nursing Times Award where SWLEOC is shortlisted in the Theatre and Surgical Nursing category. Both nominations are underpinned by the use of Definition Health’s technology, continuing to demonstrate the impact of digital health in transforming surgical care.
To find out more, please visit www.definitionhealth.co.uk
