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. 2022 Jan 1;12(1):24.
doi: 10.3390/jpm12010024.

COVID-19 Follow-App. Mobile App-Based Monitoring of COVID-19 Patients after Hospital Discharge: A Single-Center, Open-Label, Randomized Clinical Trial

Ester Marquez-Algaba  1 , Marc Sanchez  1 , Maria Baladas  2 , Claudia España  3 , Hermes Salvatore Dallo  3 , Manuel Requena  2 , Ariadna Torrella  1 , Bibiana Planas  1 , Berta Raventos  1 , Carlos Molina  2 , Marc Ribo  2 , Benito Almirante  1   4 , Oscar Len  1   4
Affiliations

COVID-19 Follow-App. Mobile App-Based Monitoring of COVID-19 Patients after Hospital Discharge: A Single-Center, Open-Label, Randomized Clinical Trial

Ester Marquez-Algaba et al. J Pers Med. .

Abstract

Introduction: In the midst of a pandemic, apps can be used to provide close follow-up, ensure that patients are monitored at home, avoid excessive pressure on medical facilities, prevent the movement of people (both patients and health professionals), and reduce the risk of infection.

Objective: To adapt and validate the use of a smartphone application for outpatient follow-up of COVID-19 patients after hospital discharge.

Methods: We conducted an open-label clinical trial at Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona, Spain. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to be followed by the Farmalarm app or by their primary care center. The primary endpoint was the reduction in the need for in-person return visits.

Results: From 31 March to 4 May 2020, 150 patients were enrolled in the study at hospital discharge: 74 patients were randomized to the experimental group, and 76 to the control group. All patients in the control group and all except for six in the experimental group completed the study. During hospitalization, before study inclusion, all but 4 (97.3%) had viral pneumonia, 91 (60.7%) required supplemental oxygen, and 16 (10.7%) required intensive care unit (ICU) admission. COVID-19-related return visits to the emergency department were significantly higher in the control group (7.9% vs. 0%; p = 0.028) in the per-protocol analysis. Telephone consultations with the emergency department were performed by 12 (15.8%) patients in the control group and 0 (0%) in the experimental group (p < 0.001). Satisfaction with outpatient monitoring was rated higher by the experimental group (5 vs. 4 points; p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Following COVID-19 hospital discharge, home follow-up via a mobile app was effective in reducing in-person return visits without undermining patient satisfaction or perception of health, compared with standard follow-up.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; app; personalized follow-up; pneumonia.

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Conflict of interest statement

We declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
User interface.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Enrollment and randomization.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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