Preliminary Outcomes of a Digital Remote Care Solution for Colorectal Cancer Patients

Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third in the Western world in cancer incidence and second as the cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite advances in perioperative care, minimizing postoperative morbidity is crucial in clinical practice. Digitalization of the healthcare process plays a key role in genuinely and effectively engaging patients. Our aim was to evaluate a digital solution for remote monitoring of patients with CRC, from surgery indication to postoperative discharge. Methods: We developed a digital solution using Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to identify patient care flow and Lean Sigma for optimization and efficiency. We incorporated the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)/RICA pentamodal recommendations to create a program with an individualized schedule for each patient, who received tailored educational, medical, and practical information at every stage of the process. Results: A total of 193 patients used the digital solution, with >75% adhering to ERAS recommendations. The median length of hospital stay was 5 days, with low adherence leading to 3.4 (p = 0.628) or 3.27 (p = 0.642) extra days in the hospital compared to patients with intermediate and high adherence, respectively. The mean comprehensive complication index (CCI) was 9.1/100, which was higher in patients with low adherence (15) versus intermediate (8.17; p = 0.027) and high (7.42; p = 0.011) adherence. An increase in self-perception of quality of life by 9.2% was identified at the end of the process compared to the outcome at the beginning (p = 0.09), and 80% rated their overall satisfaction with the care process as 8 or higher out of 10. Conclusions: The digital solution facilitates the monitoring of CRC care and implementation and adherence to ERAS recommendations, improving patient engagement and satisfaction.