Health · Healthcare & Policy · 6 hrs ago
App lets emergency patients and families track care updates
A new app tracks patients’ progress through emergency care and lets them share updates with authorised family members and caregivers.
It is already operating in three emergency departments run by the ASST of Mantova in Italy, where it is called OpenPs, and is being tested at Bolzano Provincial Hospital.
After triage, patients can use the app free of charge to receive notifications about each stage of care and information about planned tests and procedures, translated into more than 70 languages.
The app shows care progress, not private clinical details, and access is authorised by the patient and recorded.
In Mantova, 77% of patients sent a link opened the app within three minutes, and 71% of invited family members accessed it.
Testing is now under way in Bolzano, while the app continues operating in Mantova.
Neo Emergency lets emergency patients receive updates on their care and share them with authorised family members and caregivers.
The app is operating under the name OpenPs at three hospitals run by the Asst of Mantova and is being tested at Bolzano Provincial Hospital.
After triage, patients are invited to use the app free of charge and receive notifications about care steps and information about planned tests and procedures.
The information is available in more than 70 languages, and the app shows care progress without exposing private clinical information.
In Mantova, 77% of patients sent a link accessed the app within three minutes, while 71% of invited family members entered it.
- Who
- Emergency patients and family members or caregivers authorised by the patients.
- What
- An app provides updates on the care pathway and information about planned tests and procedures.
- When
- Patients are invited to use it after triage. It has been operating in Mantova since the second half of July and is being tested in Bolzano.
- Where
- Three hospitals run by the Asst of Mantova and Bolzano Provincial Hospital.
- Why
- It aims to reduce the uncertainty and distress experienced by patients and relatives waiting for updates.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The app began operating in Mantova.
Patients are invited to access the app free of charge.
ANSA reported that the app was being tested at Bolzano Provincial Hospital.
- App name
- Neo Emergency; called OpenPs in Mantova
- Mantova sites
- Three hospitals run by the Asst of Mantova
- Languages
- More than 70
- Patient access
- 77% accessed the app within three minutes of receiving a link
- Family access
- 71% of invited family members entered the app
What people are saying
We realised that we could be very efficient in providing care, consultations, hospital admission and discharge, but that this efficiency was not perceived by patients or by relatives who remained outside. The waiting and uncertainty were causing palpable distress.