Remote patient monitoring in spine surgery

Objectives: Remote monitoring or telemonitoring is an innovative strategy to improve patient care. This study aimed to present the authors’ experience of a remote monitoring platform for post-operative care of patients who have undergone spine surgery. Methods: A telemonitoring system for patients undergoing spine surgery, centered on a smartphone application named Wippe Track , (Brazilian Telemedicine Company BR HomMed, São Paulo, Brazil) compatible with both Android and iOS smartphones. All patients had two Bluetooth devices connected to the smartphone application: Digital scale and wristband activity tracker. The outcomes evaluated were based on patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) using specific disease-oriented questionnaires. Results: A preliminary study to refine the system based on patient/provider input was performed with 30 patients. The adherence and interaction with the platform were 94%. Patients have provided all the PROMs data inputs and have consistently interacted with monitoring center professionals and the surgeon through the platform. Weight loss was observed in 76% of overweight patients using remote nutritionist support and specific exercises. Conclusion: The patients were satisfied and felt secure. The remote monitoring could detect and help manage events and warnings related to post-operative issues and reduce the need to travel for non-scheduled care.