Health First Releases Mobile App Keeping Family, Friends Up to Date During Surgery and More

'EASE': Electronic Access to Surgical Events

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – It’s a feeling of anxiety many of us can understand, waiting for news about a loved one in surgery.

Health First understands those concerns and is now offering a mobile application to help relieve that anxiety experienced by patient’s loved ones.

It’s called EASE, which stands for Electronic Access to Surgical Events.

It is a HIPPA-compliant mobile app that allows healthcare professionals to provide updates to families and friends, either local or thousands of miles away, of patients undergoing medical procedures.

During COVID-19, the EASE app is even more important with limited hospital visitation guidelines and allows family and friends to stay connected with their loved one’s surgery condition.

“I’ve been with Health First since 1992, and this is the most customer-centric tool I’ve experienced,” said Dr. Mark Rosenbloom, Vice President of Clinical Transformation.

“The goal of the app is to ease waiting room anxiety and keep families informed, even if they are unable to be at the hospital for their loved one’s procedure.”

The patient and family members download the app on their device for free from either the Apple or Android Store.

By following a simple registration process, the patient selects which loved ones will receive updates. Registered family members and friends are then able to receive updates directly from the operating room staff.

The updates can consist of text messages, pictures, and even video.

“EASE has been incredibly well received by patients, their families and the staff, who find the ability to communicate with family members rewarding. We know the effectiveness of EASE by data collected,” said Dr. Rosenbloom.

From May 18 to May 29, 2020, an EASE status report showed the following:

■ 9.9/10 user experience rating

■ 1,375 messages sent

■ Reach: 29 states, 72 area codes

■ 1,591 emojis of gratitude from recipients

205 survey responses received from patients’ loved ones showed:

■ 97% strongly agreed that based on their experience with EASE, that they would recommend the hospital to others.

■ 98% strongly agreed that their experience with EASE demonstrates compassion and caring toward family members from the hospital staff

■ 97% strongly agreed that their experience with EASE showed a level of commitment to transparency and better communication by the hospital

■ 93% said yes, the availability of EASE would influence their choice of a hospital should a loved one or themselves require surgery

“Health First is committed to delighting our customers,” Dr. Rosenbloom said. “EASE has provided a convenient way to engage our customers through improved communication.”

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