Periodic Reporting for period 2 - HSMonitor (Pre-commercial Procurement of innovative ICT-enabled monitoring to improve health status and optimise hypertension care)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2020-08-01 al 2023-09-30
HSMonitor is a pre-commercial procurement (PCP) project looking for innovative monitoring solutions to improve health status and optimise hypertension care.
Five healthcare providers from four countries (Turkey, Italy, Croatia and Sweden) are engaged in the procurement, catering to a combined population of 96 million, of which 31 million already have hypertension. The envisaged solutions should cover areas such as early detection and prevention, healthier lifestyle and nutrition, treatment adherence, training and education.
The envisaged solutions are developed in competitive phases by industry players (suppliers).
The ultimate goal of the project is to apply R&D to generate several different solutions addressing the unmet needs of the healthcare providers with regards to providing effective hypertension care.
The project launched a successful Call for Tenders, leading to five suppliers designing their solutions in phase I of the PCP. In phase II,three suppliers developed prototypes of the solutions, which were tested in two iterations with end user representatives from the procurers. Two solutions were selected for full piloting in phase III of the PCP. Based on the clinical and non-clinical data collected via the pilots it is clear that both solutions show great promise in addressing the procurers' needs, with further refinemenets necessary. Both receveid positive feedback from the participants regarding user experience and satisfaction. Both solutions also showed positive impacts on physical activity levels among users. There was a slight increase in self-reported health-related quality of life for both solutions, though not statistically significant. Participants gained an average of 0.01 Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) per patient during the study, emphasizing the positive impact on overall well-being. Both solutions positively affected several dimensions of health status, including Mobility, Self-care, Pain/Discomfort, and Anxiety/Depression. Both HyperHealth and HSmartBPM had an impact on managing blood pressure, with reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These reductions were more pronounced in participants with elevated baseline blood pressure, underscoring the potential of these solutions in managing hypertension. Frequent high blood pressure values were notably reduced, further supporting their role in maintaining optimal blood pressure levels. Suggestions for improvement leading towards making the solutions available on the market include providing timely updates, ensuring reliable data transfer. Both solutions represent a significant step forward in hypertension management and healthcare innovation.
Five healthcare providers from four countries (Turkey, Italy, Croatia and Sweden) are engaged in the procurement, catering to a combined population of 96 million, of which 31 million already have hypertension. The envisaged solutions should cover areas such as early detection and prevention, healthier lifestyle and nutrition, treatment adherence, training and education.
The envisaged solutions are developed in competitive phases by industry players (suppliers).
The ultimate goal of the project is to apply R&D to generate several different solutions addressing the unmet needs of the healthcare providers with regards to providing effective hypertension care.
The project launched a successful Call for Tenders, leading to five suppliers designing their solutions in phase I of the PCP. In phase II,three suppliers developed prototypes of the solutions, which were tested in two iterations with end user representatives from the procurers. Two solutions were selected for full piloting in phase III of the PCP. Based on the clinical and non-clinical data collected via the pilots it is clear that both solutions show great promise in addressing the procurers' needs, with further refinemenets necessary. Both receveid positive feedback from the participants regarding user experience and satisfaction. Both solutions also showed positive impacts on physical activity levels among users. There was a slight increase in self-reported health-related quality of life for both solutions, though not statistically significant. Participants gained an average of 0.01 Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) per patient during the study, emphasizing the positive impact on overall well-being. Both solutions positively affected several dimensions of health status, including Mobility, Self-care, Pain/Discomfort, and Anxiety/Depression. Both HyperHealth and HSmartBPM had an impact on managing blood pressure, with reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These reductions were more pronounced in participants with elevated baseline blood pressure, underscoring the potential of these solutions in managing hypertension. Frequent high blood pressure values were notably reduced, further supporting their role in maintaining optimal blood pressure levels. Suggestions for improvement leading towards making the solutions available on the market include providing timely updates, ensuring reliable data transfer. Both solutions represent a significant step forward in hypertension management and healthcare innovation.
This reporting period covers months 10-48 of the project, in which phases I, II, and III have been active, preceded by an evaluation of the Call for Tenders. This is reflected in activities organised in WPs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. In addition, horizontal WPs 8 and 9 have been active throughout the project, and a task related to updating the technical specifications in WP1 was also active.
The Call for Tenders was published on 17 August 2020 and was open until 13 November 2020 (WP3). A total of 17 valid tenders were received and evaluated in the period 16 November – 11 December 2020. 16 tenders were led by SMEs, and 2 by large enterprises. Based on the evaluation, five tenders were selected to proceed in the PCP and were granted a framework contract and a specific contract for phase I.
During the contracting phase, a potential conflict of interest was identified and thoroughly analysed, including advice from HaDEA. The exhaustive investigation, leading to an exclusion of the concerned tender, has been documented in D3.1 and also presented at a project review meeting with the EC in April 2021, which confirmed that the approach was necessary and proportional to the possible risks involved should the matter have not been sufficiently investigated.
Phase I (WP4) lasted three months (March-May 2021) and consisted of an updated solution design informed by the evaluation comments made by the Buyers Group. The updated offers (both technical and financial for the next phase) were evaluated by the Buyers Group again, leading to the selection of three suppliers for phase II.
Phase II (WP5) focused on the prototype testing of the three solutions in two iterations in the period June 2021 – January 2022. Via dedicated face-to-face meetings end-users (patients and healthcare professionals) were able to interact with the prototypes and provide feedback to the suppliers. Together with this feedback and the offers for the next phase, after an evaluation by the Buyers Group, two supplier solutions - HyperHealth and HSmartBPM - were selected to proceed to the next phase.
Phase III (WP6) focused on the finalisation of the prototypes and preparation for a piloting. All necessary hardware and software installations were performed in the period February-June 2022. The two fully implemented systems were then piloted for a minimum of eight months per pilot site (with varying pilot timelines, as shown below). A 6-month project extension was obtained to ensure that the pilots can complete their duration according to the Grant Agreement.
The pilots were evaluated (WP7) as technology trials in the period August – September 2023, with detailed results available in D7.5 and exploitation plans available in D7.6. Throughout the project, results were disseminated widely (WP8) and the project was coordinated and implemented according to the workplan (WP9).
The Call for Tenders was published on 17 August 2020 and was open until 13 November 2020 (WP3). A total of 17 valid tenders were received and evaluated in the period 16 November – 11 December 2020. 16 tenders were led by SMEs, and 2 by large enterprises. Based on the evaluation, five tenders were selected to proceed in the PCP and were granted a framework contract and a specific contract for phase I.
During the contracting phase, a potential conflict of interest was identified and thoroughly analysed, including advice from HaDEA. The exhaustive investigation, leading to an exclusion of the concerned tender, has been documented in D3.1 and also presented at a project review meeting with the EC in April 2021, which confirmed that the approach was necessary and proportional to the possible risks involved should the matter have not been sufficiently investigated.
Phase I (WP4) lasted three months (March-May 2021) and consisted of an updated solution design informed by the evaluation comments made by the Buyers Group. The updated offers (both technical and financial for the next phase) were evaluated by the Buyers Group again, leading to the selection of three suppliers for phase II.
Phase II (WP5) focused on the prototype testing of the three solutions in two iterations in the period June 2021 – January 2022. Via dedicated face-to-face meetings end-users (patients and healthcare professionals) were able to interact with the prototypes and provide feedback to the suppliers. Together with this feedback and the offers for the next phase, after an evaluation by the Buyers Group, two supplier solutions - HyperHealth and HSmartBPM - were selected to proceed to the next phase.
Phase III (WP6) focused on the finalisation of the prototypes and preparation for a piloting. All necessary hardware and software installations were performed in the period February-June 2022. The two fully implemented systems were then piloted for a minimum of eight months per pilot site (with varying pilot timelines, as shown below). A 6-month project extension was obtained to ensure that the pilots can complete their duration according to the Grant Agreement.
The pilots were evaluated (WP7) as technology trials in the period August – September 2023, with detailed results available in D7.5 and exploitation plans available in D7.6. Throughout the project, results were disseminated widely (WP8) and the project was coordinated and implemented according to the workplan (WP9).
HSMonitor aims to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of European healthcare systems by taking up new opportunities for radically improved management of hypertension. Industry was challenged by the demand side to develop innovative solutions for continuous self-management of the condition. The solutions to be procured were specified to support a very strong increase in the role and the responsibility of the patient and to optimise their self-management capabilities. All patients in the pilots used the systems and associated devices regularly. Overall the solutions were received very positively by the end users, with high experience, satisfaction and usability ratings. A key aim is increased adherence of patients and care-givers to evidence-based guidelines, centring on lifestyle change and multidisciplinary teamwork respectively. The evidence base on health outcomes was strengthened by the gathering of action-treatment-outcome data from all patients, contributing to the learning healthcare approach.
The key impacts resulting from HSMonitor can be summarised as follows:
• Applying established path to innovation, with evidence of benefits of disruptive technologies that can support the development of sustainable business models
• Increased opportunities for solution uptake across wider international procurement markets
• Improved adherence to treatment leading to reduction of complications due to high blood pressure
• Improved prevention and early detection of hypertension in a wider population due to improved awareness and outreach to patients at risk
• Implementing personalised decision support & supporting professional co-ordination
The key impacts resulting from HSMonitor can be summarised as follows:
• Applying established path to innovation, with evidence of benefits of disruptive technologies that can support the development of sustainable business models
• Increased opportunities for solution uptake across wider international procurement markets
• Improved adherence to treatment leading to reduction of complications due to high blood pressure
• Improved prevention and early detection of hypertension in a wider population due to improved awareness and outreach to patients at risk
• Implementing personalised decision support & supporting professional co-ordination