Geisinger boosts orthopedic outcomes with EHR-virtual care

The Pennsylvania-based health system is the first to merge data collected from a remote care management platform into its Epic electronic health record system.

The EHR integration with the Force Therapeutics platform—which is seamless and requires no additional effort or documentation by clinicians—has resulted in better care at more affordable costs by improving connectivity and information sharing between patients undergoing hip and knee surgeries and their providers, according to Geisinger.

“Force helps us keep in touch with patients in between the typical visits we would usually have in orthopedics,” said Michael Suk, MD, Geisinger’s chief physician officer and chair of the Geisinger Musculoskeletal Institute and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “Knowing what patients are doing between two- and six-week visits is incredibly important. We can monitor progress, continue to send encouragement and hopefully have a positive effect on their quality and outcomes.”

In fact, the Geisinger-Force collaboration over three years has resulted in significantly improved outcomes, including a 30 percent reduction in hospital length of stay, 56 percent reduction in skilled nursing facility utilization, as well as an 18 percent reduction in readmissions.

Geisinger credits remote monitoring with improving patient outcomes by fostering compliance to prescribed treatment plans and providing clinical teams with real-time data and alerts integrated into the EHR.

By Greg Slabodkin | Health Data Management

Image Credit: Greg Slabodkin / Health Data Management

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About Peter Coffaro 477 Articles
A growth-driven and strategic executive, Peter Coffaro commands more than 25 years of progressive management success within the medical device industry. Recognized by the World Journal of Orthopedics, Exponential Healthtech, and MedReps.com as one of the top medical sales influencers in the industry; he has 10 years of combined sales management experience and has held positions as a Director, General Manager, Distributor, and Vice President. Peter has worked for some of the top orthopedic companies in the world - Zimmer, DePuy, and Stryker. He is also the founder of OrthoFeed: a popular blog that covers digital orthopedic news and emerging medical technologies. Peter is a three-time Hall of Fame award winner at Johnson and Johnson and has an extensive background in organizational development, business development, sales management, digital marketing, and professional education. Peter holds a B.S. degree in Biology and Chemistry from Northern Illinois University.

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