MOBILE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT Using app development to improve patient outcomes

WHY A MOBILE APPOINTMENT APPLICATION IS NEEDED  Patients have multiple physician practice providers Cardiology, Pulmonology, Primary Care  Easily forget their appointments  Difficult to schedule transportation  Forget to refill medications  Cause readmissions

HOW THE APP WAS CREATED  Reviewed the barriers to accessing care  Utilized the basic information from our practice setting  Identified the biggest gap in our population Missed / No-Show appointments Medication Adherence  Intersected with inconsistent transportation  Medical home models required availability of appointments

FILLING A GAP IN PATIENT KNOWLEDGE  Patients were not aware of their missed appointment  Many challenges related to scheduling rides to /from  Medication management is key to maintaining health  Changes in condition cause changes in providers

AIDING IN POSITIVE OUTCOMES  Improve patient engagement Patients involved in their own care process make better decisions  Reduce unnecessary hospitalizations Patients engaged in their primary care and specialty care  Enhance the Medical Home model Reduced missed appointments Increased SDMH appointment slots

LEARNING CURVES ALONG THE WAY  Biggest challenges…. Patience with the technology Learning new terminology Integration of multiple mobile devices Design process

APPLYING MOBILE TECHNOLOGY  Use of mobile health technology is everywhere  Use of text messaging more normative communication  Preferences to make a quick text than to talk  Current use of phone calls for appointments not working

COST EFFECTIVE OPPORTUNITIES  Total costs to start the program was estimated at $10,000  Employee cost average to work program $30,000  Shows a savings if you factor in missed appointments $300 - $1000  Affordable option compared to the unplanned admission $5,000 – $10,000

BENEFITS FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE  New method of communicating with patients.  Offers patient choices to engage in their care  Flexibility to work with patients at various times of day / night  Opportunity to input this for other added features.

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