At Sherwood Forest Hospitals, the impact of Florence as a means of reducing unnecessary in-person follow-ups after total hip and knee replacements has been significant. Instead of requiring every patient to return to clinic for their 6- and 12-month reviews, patients were supported remotely using Florence.
- 72% of patients were safely discharged remotely, without attending clinic.
- 490 appointments or the equivalent of 24 clinic sessions were freed up
- 67% of patients said Florence improved their care experience, 89% found it very convenient, and 79% would recommend it.
- Clinicians reported fewer but more appropriate, patient contacts with Florence “giving patients the same level of confidence as a face-to-face follow-up would.”
The project showed that digital follow-up can safely streamline orthopedic pathways, improve patient experience, and release valuable clinic capacity. What began as a focused trial has since shaped thinking about how remote follow-up can work across wider services.
According to the hospitals’ Orthopedic Business Manager, Carol Turner, Florence “enabled the Orthopedic service to deliver better than contracted and national average care” in freeing up consultants to see review patients without delay, increase new patient appointments and the number of operating theater sessions.
Patient Case Study
A 73-year-old lady who was diagnosed with osteoarthritis of her left knee underwent her third total joint replacement, her left Total Knee Replacement and was enrolled onto Flo for her 12-month review. Despite initial reservations at the thought of having to reply to the text messages, by having her daughter with her, her fears were unfounded, and she was able to reply without issue and thought it was actually “easy to do!”
The Nurse Specialist reviewed the lady’s orthopedic score (which was 36 out of 48) and her x-ray during a ‘virtual’ clinic and discharged her without the need for her to have a face-to-face appointment.
With her previous history her insight into the improved pathway was invaluable stating she had wished her past experiences could have been as smooth and convenient, particularly as the last time she had been a carer for her sick husband and it would have been far easier remotely with the help of Florence.
79% of patients using Flo ‘believe that Florence should become a standard service in the future’ and ‘would recommend Florence to a friend or family member’.
