Rockland couple very pleased with the Post-Surgical Remote Monitoring Program offered through the collaboration of Archipel partners
Rockland couple very pleased with the Post-Surgical Remote Monitoring Program offered through the collaboration of Archipel partners
In January 2023, Michel Bougie underwent a total knee replacement performed as day surgery at the Hôpital Montfort. Living in Rockland, Michel and his wife Nicole Cadieux then benefited from the Post-Surgical Remote Monitoring Program.
Launched in April 2022, the program aims to improve patients’ transition from hospital to home. It also reduces readmission rates after surgery and the number of emergency room visits. Resulting from a multi-sectoral collaboration between the Hôpital Montfort, the Ottawa Paramedic Services, and the Prescott-Russell Community Paramedics Services, this alternative to hospitalization also improves the experience and satisfaction of patients and families.
“We have nothing but praise for this post-surgical home monitoring program. When I first heard about the planned day surgery, I was quite worried about my husband coming home so soon. We had received information sheets, but I was still wondering how I was going to take care of him, especially if there were complications,” says Nicole Cadieux.
When they were introduced to the virtual post-surgical program, the couple’s stress level dropped. The free bilingual program includes daily monitoring of the patient’s condition using a downloadable application and 24/7 access to a team of community paramedics for 14 days. A telephone option is also available for people feeling less comfortable with technology.
“The application was very easy to use. Every morning, we answered a series of multiple-choice questions, such as the level of pain, the appearance of the wound, the presence of fever, swelling or other symptoms, and the Prescott-Russell paramedics received our answers instantly. It was really reassuring to know that there was a daily follow-up and that the paramedics could come to our house if needed,” adds Nicole.
The application is programmed to detect anomalies in the patient’s condition based on the type of procedure they have had. “On day 3, some of the responses triggered an alert and the paramedics called us right away and then came to our house. They checked the symptoms and contacted a physician to see if a hospital visit was necessary. And one of them even phoned the orthopaedic department at Hôpital Montfort and arranged an appointment with the surgeon for the next morning. What a great service! Thanks to this program, we avoided a visit to the emergency room and the long hours of waiting as well as the stress that comes with it,” concludes Nicole.
In May 2023, after a four-month convalescence, Michel is doing well and is making a gradual return to a physically demanding job. Aged 62, the 6′2″ man can finally resume his activities. “Many thanks to Isabelle and Manon, our paramedics who were so efficient, courteous, professional and compassionate.” Nicole and Michel hope that this program will continue so that all people in their situation can benefit from it.
About the Post-Surgical Remote Monitoring Program
Supported by Archipel Ontario Health Team and funded by Ontario Health, the program is a partnership between the Hôpital Montfort and the Ottawa and Prescott-Russell Community Paramedic Services aimed at improving patient transitions from hospital to home. The bilingual program provides support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a period of 14 days following discharge from the hospital. The program is available to patients who have undergone gynaecological or urological surgery, as well as hip, knee or shoulder replacement surgery. Expansion to Hawkesbury General Hospital patients is planned in the coming months to increase the positive impact of this client-centred approach. The Post-Surgical Remote Monitoring Program generates positive experiences for both clients and service providers while generating efficiencies in the use of resources, thus helping the healthcare system to work better.
L'Équipe Santé Ontario d'Archipel bénéficie du financement de mise en œuvre de l'ESO du ministère de la Santé.
Nous reconnaissons respectueusement que le territoire sur lequel nous opérons est le territoire traditionnel non cédé des Algonquins.
