How does ikHerstel work ?

Prior to the elective surgery the healthcare professional offers ikHerstel to the patient as an extended service of the hospital. To start a patient profile is set up. The type of operation and the patients key personal parameters are filled in. Additionally the type of activities that are important in the patients normal (working) life are identified . This could be sports, hobbies or activities essential for the patients work. Examples are walking, cycling, taking care of a baby or heavy physical work.

Based on this patient profile a personal recovery plan is generated that gives daily advice with relevant information specifically catered to the profile and the selected activities. In the recovery plan it is indicated when the patient is expected to be able to resume certain activities. This manages the patients expectation regarding the recovery already prior to the operation and gives the patient the opportunity to plan accordingly, with caregivers and his employer regarding his return to work.

Prior to operation the patient receives relevant information regarding to preparations for the operations and specific information about the operation itself.

After the operation the application sends the patient daily notifications about which activity can be resumed and with which intensity. (e.g.  today you can start to cycle up to a maximum of 10 min per day). The application asks patients to give feedback if they were able to achieve the activity scheduled for them that day. This way the patients progress is monitored and visualized in a dashboard. If the actual progress deviates from the planned progress or if the patient has concerns or questions, they can get in touch with the healthcare professional.

 

The information and recovery advice are plotted on a timeline, making it easy for the patient to scroll back and forward along the timeline.  The recovery advice stops when a patient has indicated being able to do all selected activities and is consequently completely recovered.

How does the recovery advise come about ?

The recovery protocol is developed by healthcare professionals. For every operation/medical intervention an unambiguous recovery protocol is developed by a representative group of healthcare professionals across the total specific care path (general practitioner, occupational physician, medical specialist and physiotherapist).  This group of healthcare professionals are guided by the Delphi methodology to come to an unanimously accepted protocol. Each of these operation specific protocols are then translated by ikHerstel into an algorithm that is then embedded in the application.

Which type of operations does IkHerstel support ?

  • Gynaecological surgery:
    • Hysterectomy (Uterus) – vaginal, abdominal and minimal invasive
    • Adnex surgery (fallopian tube and ovary) – minimal invasive
  • Surgery:
    • Cholecystectomy (gall bladder) – minimal invasive
    • Appendectomy (cecum) – abdominal and minimal invasive
    • Hernia inguinalis (groin rupture) – abdominal (Lichtenstein) and minimal invasive (TEP-procedure)
    • Colectomy (colon) – abdominal and minimal invasive

 

Under development:

  • Obstetrics: sectio (cesarean section) en natural birth
  • Urogynaecology: Prolaps en MUS (Mid- Urethrale-sling) surgery
  • Orthopedics: Total en partial knee replacement

Cost for ikHerstel

Hospitals carry the costs for the use of ikHerstel. There are no costs for the patient.

Privacy and security

ikHerstel complies with all European privacy guidelines and operates in line with the European MDR legislation. IkHerstel is supported in these matters by Deloitte Digital Health.