Innovator

Marie recently played a key role in the development of a new digital platform for patients called SMART CP (Chronic Pancreatitis).  Developed in partnership with the Irish start-up company My Patient Space this cutting-edge new digital app empowers patients with chronic pancreatitis to take control of their condition by facilitating ongoing and seamless communication with their Hospital team. Patients can use the app to monitor and report their symptoms daily and if their health begins to worsen the app immediately triggers an alert to inform the Hospital.

Marie says, “The idea for the app came about as a result of COVID when we were spending endless hours on the phone trying to contact patients remotely. We felt there had to be a quicker and easier way to communicate. Now by using the Smart CP app patients can report their symptoms daily. The app itself will escalate any concerns reported particularly if a patient’s health begins to worsen. Red alerts are created and I am informed if patients input symptoms that are suggestive of a new presentation of diabetes or pancreatic cancer.”

Patients can also use the app to message Marie directly with concerns or queries and receive a reply from her via SmartCP. In addition, the app contains a wealth of CP-specific education in the form of text, graphics and videos from the Hospital team. It also signposts TUH-area community resources, including useful information on the Tallaght Healthy Communities programme.

Motivation

Marie says, “The primary motivation for me was to try and improve patient care.  Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a complex, progressive condition where pancreatic tissue is permanently damaged due to repeated inflammation. There is no cure and management focuses on dealing with symptoms and complications as they arise. Patients with CP suffer from debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and vomiting. As the disease progresses, patients may develop type 3c (pancreatogenic) diabetes, osteoporosis and nutrient deficiency.”

Sometimes patients with pancreatitis become ill and require hospital care. Marie hopes this app will allow her and the team to identify these patients much earlier to help them avoid a presentation at the Emergency Department. Marie says “If patients do need hospital care we are lucky in TUH, that they can be directly admitted to the Acute Surgical Assessment Unit for review.”

Next innovation?

Marie says, “Patient Initiation review (PIR) is our next project through the SMART CP app.  This to our knowledge will be the first digitalisation of the process of PIR. This will enable patients to schedule their own follow-up appointments on an ‘as needed’ basis. This patient-centred approach differs significantly from the traditional ‘physician-driven’ model wherein patients are offered review appointments at routine intervals at outpatient clinics. Often, these pre-booked appointments occur at a time when the patient’s condition is relatively stable and little action is needed. Conversely, if a patient experiences sudden exacerbation of symptoms, urgent outpatient appointments may not be available, as outpatient capacity is reduced due to unnecessary follow-up appointments.”

 Marie believes strongly that against the backdrop of a steadily increasing prevalence of chronic diseases in Ireland and an ageing population, our healthcare system is ill-equipped to address the complex needs of individuals managing multiple comorbidities. She says, “It is therefore imperative to transform and modernise our healthcare system to ensure timely and efficient care for all.”

The development of the new Smart CP app was funded by the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure.

Marie and the team behind the new Smart CP app (pictured above) won the 2024 HealthTech Innovation of the Year award, at the Public Sector Digital Transformation Awards.

Caption L to R Dr Natalie Cole Head of Innovation TUH, Sinead Gill Clinical Innovation Specialist, Marie Egan Clinical Nurse Specialist for Pancreatitis, Marguerite Clarke Customer Success Manager Public Sector ,Version 1, & Una Kearns My Patient Space.