Royal Philips and Nijmegen, The Netherlands-based Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc) are debuting a prototype service to support patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The launch marks the start of joint explorations between Philips and Radboudumc to apply mobile, digital and cloud technologies to improve patient outcomes, care coordination and patient empowerment across the health continuum.

Managing COPD is challenging and often costly, as the progressive nature of the disease leads many patients to require complicated therapies and frequent hospital readmissions. At the same time, users are increasingly looking for new ways to take control of their personal health in order to live healthier and better lives.

Radboudumc is one of the most innovative medical centers in Europe focused on digital solutions to enable patient centric care.The wearable diagnostic prototype for COPD patients feeds data collected from users at home to clinicians through the Philips HealthSuite Digital Platform’s two clinical applications, eCareCompanion and eCareCoordinator, both of which have recently received FDA 510(k) clearance. Once a COPD patient has left the hospital, a wearable diagnostic prototype collects data day and night, including physical activity, respiratory indicator, heart rhythm and heart rate variability. That data is then sent via the cloud to the Philips’ cloud, where it is shared with the appropriate care providers via the eCareCoordinator app, presenting a more complete view of the patient’s illness.

Radboudumc is one of the most innovative medical centers in Europe focused on digital solutions to enable patient centric care. Part of the network of Singularity University’s Exponential Medicine track in Silicon Valley, it is at the forefront of the convergence of technology and patient empowerment, both inside and outside the hospital.

As part of Philips’ vision for the HealthSuite Digital Platform, the company is working to create a suite of open APIs that can be used by developers to create innovative applications for hospitals and health systems.