Pip Care Platform for Abdominal Surgery

Recruiting at 7 trial locations

Overseen By Amy Monroe, MPH, MBA

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh

Disqualifiers: Non-English speakers, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

1300 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to improve the surgical experience for patients through a digital health platform called Pip Care. The platform provides a personalized care plan and connects patients with a live health coach to assist in managing their surgical journey. Participants will either use the Pip Care platform or receive standard care, enabling researchers to compare outcomes. The trial seeks adults planning elective, inpatient surgeries, such as those involving the abdomen or spine, who can use a smartphone or tablet daily. As an unphased trial, it offers patients the chance to contribute to innovative healthcare solutions and potentially enhance their surgical experience.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that the Pip Care platform is safe for surgical patients?

Research has shown that the Pip Care Digital Health Platform is safe and easy for patients to use. In studies, patients using Pip Care were 49% less likely to be readmitted to the hospital within a week after surgery compared to those who did not use it. This finding suggests that the platform aids recovery without causing harm.

The platform includes a digital tool and a health coach, which together help patients adhere to their care plans. Telehealth tools like Pip Care have been linked to fewer complications during recovery from surgery. This indicates that patients are likely to recover more smoothly with fewer issues.

Overall, Pip Care appears to be a safe choice for surgical patients, facilitating effective recovery management. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Pip Care digital health platform because it offers a new approach to managing recovery from abdominal surgery. Unlike the standard care, which typically involves in-person follow-ups and general post-operative instructions, Pip Care provides personalized digital support starting a week before surgery and continuing for 30 days after. This platform aims to enhance patient engagement and potentially improve recovery outcomes by offering tailored guidance, reminders, and monitoring features that adapt to each patient's needs.

What evidence suggests that the Pip Care platform is effective for optimizing perioperative care in abdominal surgery?

Research has shown that the Pip Care digital health platform, available to participants in this trial, can significantly enhance the surgical experience for patients. Users of Pip Care have reported high satisfaction, with scores of 4.8 out of 5 for the platform and 4.9 out of 5 for their health coaches. The platform also reduces the likelihood of hospital readmission by 49% within a week after surgery. Pip Care combines a mobile app with real human coaches to guide patients through their care, helping them stay engaged and manage their recovery more effectively. ^{1 2 4 5 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jennifer Holder-Murray, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Pittsburgh, UPMC

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Participants must be willing to use the Pip Care digital health platform alongside standard care protocols. Specific eligibility criteria are not detailed, but typically include factors like age, health status, and type of surgery.

Inclusion Criteria

Daily access to a smartphone or tablet.

I am scheduled for a major surgery in one of the specified areas within 2 to 8 weeks after joining.

Exclusion Criteria

Unable to use a smartphone or tablet independently or with daily assistance

Currently pregnant (assessed via standard-of-care pre-operative workup)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Preoperative Preparation

Participants receive personalized care plans and tasks by their Health Coach, including weekly video or voice calls and access to educational content.

1 week

Weekly video or voice calls

Surgery and Immediate Postoperative Care

Participants undergo their scheduled elective, inpatient surgery and receive immediate postoperative care.

Up to 7 days

Postoperative Follow-up

Participants retain access to the digital health platform for 30 days following surgery, with continued engagement and monitoring for safety and effectiveness.

30 days

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Pip Care Digital Health Platform

Trial Overview The study is testing if using the Pip Care digital platform with a live health coach improves surgical outcomes compared to just following standard care protocols. Phase II of this study randomly assigns patients to either receive Pip Care or stick with usual procedures.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Pip Care Intervention Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects randomized to the Pip Care Intervention group will receive access to the Pip Care digital health platform 1-week prior to their scheduled elective, inpatient surgery and retain access to the digital health platform for 30-days following surgery.

Group II: Standard of Care Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Subjects randomized to the standard of care group will receive routine standard of care for their planned elective, inpatient surgery.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Pittsburgh

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,820

Recruited

16,360,000+

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Collaborator

Trials

3,987

Recruited

47,860,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A digital monitoring application was developed through collaborative design with patients and health professionals to support colorectal cancer patients during the first 30 days post-surgery, aiming to improve patient care and outcomes.

The app allows patients to report concerns to healthcare providers, which can help in early identification of issues, reduce readmission rates, and enhance recovery experiences by providing timely support and relevant information.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development of a Remote Monitoring Application to Improve Care and Support Patients in the First 30 Days Following Colorectal Cancer Surgery. Miller, M., Roxburgh, CS., McCann, L., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pipcare.com pipcare.com/patient_outcomes_study/

Research Shows Pip Care “Significantly Improves Patient ... In follow-up surveys, patients reported high – 4.8 out of 5 points – scores for satisfaction with the app and 4.9 out of 5 points for their health coaches. “We ...

2. periop.jmir.org periop.jmir.org/2024/1/e52125/

A Novel Digital Health Platform With Health Coaches to ... Pip is a novel mobile DHP combining human HCs and perioperative optimization content that is feasible to engage patients in their perioperative journey.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11027047/

A Novel Digital Health Platform With Health Coaches to ... Over 95% (93/95) of patients were satisfied with Pip and would recommend it. Pip generated impressive patient satisfaction scores when ...

4. upmcphysicianresources.com upmcphysicianresources.com/news/040424-surgical-outcomes

Patient Engagement and Surgical Outcomes Improved by ... Pip Care is the first to pair the digital platform with one-on-one telehealth coaches who check in and assist patients in care coordination.

5. aha.org aha.org/aha-center-health-innovation-market-scan/2024-04-16-upmcs-app-lower-post-surgery-readmission-rates-pip

UPMC's App to Lower Post-Surgery Readmission Rates Is ... Pip Care patients reduced their risk of readmission to the hospital within a week of discharge by 49% compared with patients who didn't use the platform.

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38669018/

Digital Health Interventions and Patient Safety in ... Findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that perioperative telehealth interventions are associated with reduced risk of ...