[m]pirik's mission — to measure and improve value in orthopedics — is simple, and that's the point. Founder, CEO and orthopedic surgeon Joe Kohli, MD, coined the name with inspiration from the Empirical Formula, which is a compound's simplest formula.
"We allow orthopedic surgeons to do what they do best — treat patients," says Dr. Kohli, who founded the Milwaukee-based company in October 2013. "We put [the data collecting] in the background."
The company's Ortho[matrix] is composed of Ortho[m]essage, Ortho[m]easure and Ortho[m]metrics. The care management platform is designed to improve patient communication; gather reliable data; and automatically integrate with electronic medical records.
Ortho[m]essage
This component delivers pertinent content to patients pre- and post-surgery. The technology transmits messages to patients via text message or email with information, like follow-up appointment dates or updated treatment plans.
"It's a way to direct patients where you want them to go," says Dr. Kohli. m[pirik] offers various procedure templates that physicians may modify for their specific needs. On average, providers send between 20 messages to 30 messages to each patient through the platform.
Ortho[m]easure
This part of the platform uses three-dimensional detection technology combined with a Bluetooth-enabled strength gauge to assess a patients' strength, range of motion and gait patterns. The Ortho[m]atrix platform immediately receives Ortho[m]easure readings.
By automating the physical exam, the process removes human error and bias as well as leaves time for face time with more patients. The idea is that better data yields better treatment plans.
"The surgeon is typically the most expensive person in that value chain — data collecting probably should be automated," says Dr. Kohli.
Ortho[m]etrics
Ortho[m]etrics serves as the data hub, receiving the platform's gathered data. After assessing a patient's surgical data, this component provides correlation studies supporting various treatment options.
"Our goal is to get as much information as we can about the patient so you can make the best clinical decisions and drive value," says Dr. Kohli.
What's next?
With the onset of the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model, the healthcare technology company offers services to enhance patient outcomes while increasing physician efficiency.
"We're moving from fee-to-service to value," says Dr. Kohli. "It's not enough just to know what your outcomes are; we need to know why your outcomes are what they are, as in the data behind it."
He believes physicians will find the second generation of information technology more helpful than the first generation that entered the healthcare industry. The next generation of tools, says Dr. Kohli, will enhance patients' lives; collect the necessary data; and simplify physicians' lives.
"The first generation [of information technology] was cumbersome, but the second generation will be much easier to use," says Dr. Kohli. "We're starting to use technology to improve our treatment decisions and improve our patients' lives."