100% of the chronic kidney patients who tested the solution were satisfied with the result. Chronic kidney disease affects 15% of the population and up to 35% of those over 70
Mobile World Capital Barcelona, the Bellvitge University Hospital (HUB) and the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) in collaboration with the Hospitalet City Council and Vodafone are launching a remote health pilot project for patients receiving dialysis. This mHealth (mobile health) project aims to offer a better experience for patients receiving dialysis remotely, accompanying them in this process and improving communication with the medical team. A tablet will allow healthcare professionals to resolve the patient's doubts or issues directly from home.
Mobile health for medical follow-up
The project was launched four months ago and was born during the pandemic. Covid restrictions and the risk of exposing chronic patients when moving around in hospitals led to the development of a tool for an easier interaction between patients and medical staff and less commuting.
The device is simple to operate and aims to facilitate the patient's day-to-day life. When the latter has a treatment or home dialysis machine related question, he or she requests an appointment with a HUB professional. The tablet is equipped with the necessary tools and a high-resolution camera, allowing them to send detailed images during the appointment. This way, professionals have real time knowledge of what is happening and can make informed decisions and eventually explain to the patient the steps that should be taken.
Dialysis, a feasible treatment at home
The dialysis digitalization project goal is to improve the medical team's response to patients' doubt and issues in their dialysis treatment at home. "This is now possible thanks to technology and mobile health, " said Dr Josep Maria Cruzado, head of the Nephrology Department at Bellvitge University Hospital.
Very positive reception from patients and professionals
The project's impact assessment among patients and doctors shows a 100% satisfaction degree. During the 'Digitizing dialysis tele-treatment' session held at Mobile World Capital Barcelona's stand at MWC Barcelona 2023, patients and professionals explained their impressions from different perspectives.
Following Dr. Inés Rama, nephrologist, and head HUB Dialysis Program, "this is an innovative tool for streamlining the management of home dialysis, as it allows us to respond quickly to the patient's needs, cutting down travelling, empowering the patient, and at the same time improving their safety and accompaniment".
Montse Guardia, Chief Stategy Officer and Director of the Society Area of Mobile World Capital Barcelona, said that "this project responds to the challenge that we at Mobile World Capital Barcelona are promoting, that is, using technology as a tool to improve people's quality of life. We create a direct channel between the patient and the medical staff and enable hospitals and other health organisations to enjoy the benefits that technological solutions such as these provide to society. "
Nuria Marín, Mayor of L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, acknowledges that "As a City Council we are committed to supporting this type of innovation projects and to promote them from our clear wish to serve and have a high impact on citizens".
The technology needed to connect patients and doctors was provided by Vodafone. According to the company's commercial director for Catalonia and Aragon, Diego Presa, "the ERCA project is another example of how the application of technology to customise different medical treatments has a positive impact on the patient, increasing their autonomy and motivation".
Dr Montserrat Figuerola, territorial manager of the Southern Metropolitan Area of the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS) Bellvitge said that "at Bellvitge Hospital and the Southern Metropolitan Territorial Management we work with an open innovation model based on collaborative work with innovative entities and institutions. This is key to provide ideas, technological tools and valuable solutions, with patient centricity and a vision of integrative care. Projects such as the one we share with MWC Barcelona allow us to meet health needs such as those of our chronic kidney patients".
Collaboration agreement between Mobile World Capital Barcelona, Bellvitge University Hospital and IDIBELL
This pilot program was launched as part of the collaboration agreement between Mobile World Capital Barcelona, Bellvitge University Hospital and the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute Foundation (IDIBELL). This alliance seeks to put technology, digitization, and smart connectivity at the service of the health sector. The overall objective is to implement innovative products and services with a global scope, to deliver real value for society, by taking advantage of existing telecommunications networks and all connectivity technologies.
