MobileNurse prevents unnecessary ED visits

For most of us, it will happen at least once. You suffer an injury or begin to notice a symptom, but you are not sure of its severity. Should you go to the emergency department (ED), call a doctor, or treat it with a home remedy? To solve this dilemma, Physicians Plus, a managed care company covering members in south central Wisconsin, created MobileNurse, a mobile application that helps individuals identify their symptoms, understand the severity, and seek appropriate care. “We wanted to provide relevant health information to people who don’t respond to health tips sent by more traditional media, like mail, email or telephone messaging services,” said Steve Sorenson, Director of Marketing and Product Innovation at Physicians Plus. The MobileNurse app has proven to make a difference not only in giving patients piece of mind, but also in reducing unnecessary ED visits. According to Sorenson, MobileNurse was part of a company effort that led to a 20% reduction in ED visits at one target location and by a little less than 40% in another. When to call When users open MobileNurse, they are greeted with an interface that allows them to select their age (adult or child) and gender. After that, the user can select their condition from an alphabetic index, body area index, or a keyword search. Once the users find their appropriate condition, they can read a definition and view images to make sure it is correct. From there, users can use the “When to Call” tab to determine the severity of their condition and decide which of the following responses is most appropriate:

• Call 911 immediately
• Call a doctor or go to the ED
• Call a doctor within 24 hours
• Call a doctor during office hours
• Care for the condition at home

For example, Jason is stung by a bee while biking in the woods. Hours later, he develops a pain in his stomach and vomits. Using the MobileNurse application, Jason would search for bee sting and find “abdominal pain or vomiting” in the “When to Call” tab. He would see his symptoms merit a call the his doctor or a visit to the ED. Using the application, Jason can call his doctor with a couple clicks or get turn by turn directions to a nearby ED. Another handy feature within MobileNurse is the First Aid section. Users can view step-by-step first aid instructions for dozens of conditions, including electric shock and frostbite. Users can also view dosage information for common drugs. For symptoms that can be treated at home, the application provides detailed instructions for home care techniques. Physicians Plus makes it clear that the advice presented in the MobileNurse application is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Users are required to agree to a disclaimer that says as much when they first start using the application. “We wanted to be careful not to create an unhealthy dependence upon the app, which diagnoses symptoms, over the services of a medical professional who may take a broader view the symptoms and the entire patient situation,” Sorenson said. “We added the connection to a 24/7 nurse line, in part due to the need to connect the user with a medical professional whenever needed.” In all, it seems like a very handy tool that is a win for patients and providers. Check it out!