YORKTOWN — Lackey Clinic, a free and charitable healthcare center in Yorktown, is partnering with Generated Health on an innovative interactive messaging system designed to empower patients and improve clinical outcomes.
The service, called Florence or “Flo,” is a digital health coach that engages and helps ensure patients follow their care plans as prescribed by the clinic’s primary care physicians, it said.
“We are committed to greater investment in technology to engage patients, drive positive lifestyle change, and improve health outcomes,” said Larry Trumbore, Lackey Clinic’s CEO.
Flo has been used across the U.K. and Australia, as well as the Veterans Health Administration, applications where Flo has been shown to improve health outcomes and reduce urgent care needs and the work of the healthcare team, according to the clinic.
The clinic noted Flo is easy to implement as it does not require patients to download an app or even have access to broadband. Patients receive text messages on their cell phones from Flo asking them about their blood pressure and glucose levels, and patients text back their readings and receive instant feedback from Flo that aligns with their care plan and improves self-management.
Flo is available for both English and Spanish-speaking patients, and patient data is stored securely and is readily accessible to Lackey Clinic’s care team.
Automated alerts from Flo notify the clinic’s nurses when additional attention is needed.
“Our team truly does an excellent job,” said Dr. Jill Cottel, Lackey Clinic’s Medical Director, “and yet it can be difficult (and at times frustrating) to successfully engage patients and see significant clinical outcomes. Flo will help our patients do more for their healthcare.”
By integrating Flo into its care workflows, Lackey Clinic expects it will have a significant
impact on diagnosing new conditions, improving how the Clinic addresses acute
episodes and even reducing unnecessary emergency visits.
“We know our patients can face more life-impacting challenges than most,” said Cottel. “Many of our patients are working two or more jobs, unable to rely on transportation or afford to take time off from work. From a health perspective, our patients often deal with multiple chronic conditions and have health needs that are not easy to coordinate and reconciliate.”
The Clinic plans to test Flo using 25 hypertension patients, with a goal of increasing to 200 patients by the end of August. The clinic also plans to extend the use of Flo for its patients with diabetes and will continue to work with its clinical team, volunteers, and pre-medical students from local colleges to develop its Connected Care program, assess Social Determinants of Health, and provide health education tailored to its patients’ needs.
For more information, visit Lackey Clinic.
