Ohio hospital systems are taking physical therapy inside patients' homes via technology from a Dublin startup.
IncludeHealth Inc. this week signed Cincinnati-area Christ Hospital Health Network as one of the first systems to adopt its virtual PT platform, called MSK-OS, which launched in September. Therapists use the software to build personalized care plans delivered via the cloud to patients.
CEO Ryan Eder started the business six years ago as IncludeFitness, making adaptable and inclusive fitness equipment with onboard software, based on his award-winning 2006 master's thesis from University of Cincinnati. The company was renamed in 2018 and now focuses on the digital platform for musculoskeletal care that can be used on any type of hardware.
Using MSK-OS, real-time body tracking is provided on any device with a forward-facing camera, so patients can use it on phones, tablets or computers without acquiring additional hardware or software. IncludeHealth developed the software with Google and Toledo health system ProMedica, which also has deployed the software more broadly. Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center also has helped develop the products.
Christ Hospital was an early field tester before the fall launch.
Patrick Murray, the system's director of rehabilitation services, said the technology extends a patient-provider relationship “well beyond the walls of the clinic.”
“In addition to providing real-time, one-on-one therapy sessions remotely at home, this system allows our therapists to monitor compliance through the camera technology and system alerts when patients are alone to ensure they are following their care plan safely and correctly for proper progression,” Murray said in a news release.
When a connection is maintained at home, post-operative care improves because of increased plan adherence, leading to better long-term outcomes. Care plan adjustments can made remotely when necessary.
Eder told me multiple other health systems, national PT networks and orthopedic clinics have also deployed MSK-OS and those partnerships will be announced soon.
“Healthcare is moving beyond an old paradigm where patients could only get care at pre-scheduled times and inconvenient places,” Eder said in a statement. “MSK-OS was built to facilitate the hybrid model, where providers can blend on-site and remote digital care with confidence and increased access.”
IncludeHealth is backed by Uptown-based seed fund CincyTech and also has had research partnerships with the U.S. Air Force.
The remote-first company has 30 employees, half of which are in Cincinnati or Columbus. The startup plans to double staff by the end of 2022.
