The Ritmocore project has won first prize in the Innovation Procurement Strategy category of the second edition of the European Innovation Procurement Awards (EUIPA), awarded by the European Innovation Council as part of the European Commission's Horizon programme. Ritmocore aims to transform the care management and care of patients with bradycardia and arrhythmias, both those with and without pacemakers
This award is in recognition of the innovative public procurement model proposed by Ritmocore (www.ritmocore-ppi.eu). Instead of purchasing a product (pacemaker), it is based on the procurement of services, thus transforming healthcare service provision towards a high-value model for patients. The European Innovation Procurement Awards recognise successful cases of public-private procurers working together to promote innovation procurement practices across Europe. The Bellvitge University Hospital (HUB) is part of the consortium promoting Ritmocore, which is coordinated by the Catalan Agency for Health Quality and Assessment (AQuAS), with the participation of Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Mútua Terrassa, VALDE Innova and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital (UK).
The award was presented in Brussels on 8 December, in the framework of the European Innovation Council Summit 2022, the reference event of the European institutions in the field of innovation. Research and innovation teams, legislators, companies, start-ups and investors came together to share and discuss the development and challenges in European innovation policies. Attendees also learned about the main projects underway in the European Union with EIC funding, such as Ritmocore.
A 24/7 cardiology team ensuring a healthy heartbeat
In September 2022, the European-funded phase of the Ritmocore project came to an end. However, it continues to manage the care and attention of more than 1,000 patients with bradycardia and arrhythmias, monitored from the Bellvitge University Hospital with sensors, mobile apps and other innovative devices. More than 60 atrial fibrillations in asymptomatic patients have been intervened early, preventing them from developing into strokes, thanks to the remote monitoring of the HUB equipment.
In addition, coordination with South Metropolitan Primary Care has enabled the creation of a pioneering system of inter-consultation between specialist nurses and primary care nurses, unprecedented in the Catalan health system, which is being extended to other hospital services. Ritmocore's value proposition increases the quality of care and patient experience and enables better use of the data collected. It also establishes a win-win purchasing model between hospital and healthcare technology company. The compilation of lessons learned throughout the 69 months of implementation by all consortium member institutions and recommendations for future projects are available on the website http://www.ritmocore-ppi.eu.
The results of Ritmocore at the Bellvitge Hospital have been possible thanks to the multidisciplinary efforts of the professionals of the centre’s Cardiology Service, and Arrhythmia Unit, as well as to its Innovation, Economic-Financial, Information Systems, Talent Management and Communication teams.