DANVILLE — Imagine you’ve just had hip replacement surgery and you’re following through with your post-surgery therapy while wearing a device that monitors your health levels. As your heart rate quickens, you receive a text from your care provider asking what the pain level is in your new joint as you exercise.
Researchers will soon be using these wearable activity devices to collect real-time health data from Geisinger orthopedic patients. That’s because the Geisinger Orthopaedic Institute has chosen to partner with Universal Research Solutions, known as OBERD, for patient outcomes data collection and multicenter studies.
OBERD is pioneering research into patient data collection from wearable devices. The objective data captured during patient activities will complement the subjective outcomes data provided by patients and from other sources.
“That (the subjective data) is accompanied by the vast amount of OBERD-collected information — demographics, procedures, implant data and the question of overall satisfaction — to provide a complete picture of the individual’s care at Geisinger,” said Dr. Ali Hussam, CEO of OBERD. “We may then be able to better understand the factors that influence health outcomes and provide more complete answers to the patient.”
Geisinger will be using OBERD’s clinical suite and customizable education software to initially collect data from orthopedic patients. That data can be used for research into better approaches to care, support better decision-making and ultimately deliver better health outcomes.
“We are delighted to be partnering with OBERD,” said Dr. Michael Suk, chairman of Geisinger’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “OBERD has been at the forefront of technology for outcomes data collection for many years, just as Geisinger has been at the forefront of integrating outcomes data into decision-making about patient care. We expect to work closely with the OBERD team to innovate on the next generation of outcomes data collection.”
OBERD’s real-time scoring and reporting of the collected data will enable immediate evaluation of outcomes during patient visits. The software, with interfaces built around the patient, also allows remote data collection from patients who are unable, or not required, to revisit a Geisinger clinic.
“We believe it will be the new standard for individualized care,” said Suk.
