A Digital Companion for Surgery Patients
Imagine you need surgery. A major one—like a hysterectomy. You’ve never had surgery before, apart from wisdom teeth removal when you were 16. This is different. You’re anxious, unsure, and full of questions.
Now, imagine having a personal guide every step of the way. A digital companion to help you prepare for surgery, walk you through recovery, remind you when to take your meds, and even teach you how to care for your incision. Sounds reassuring, right?
Well, there’s an app for that.
It’s called SeamlessMD, and thanks to a partnership between Quinte Health’s Surgical Program and Digital Innovation team, this creative, digital solution is now supporting patients undergoing six major types of surgery:
- Total Hip Arthroplasty
- Total Knee Arthroplasty
- Hysterectomy
- Colorectal Surgery
- Mastectomy
- Ureteroscopy
Patients scheduled for these procedures are enrolled in SeamlessMD by one of Quinte Health’s Pre-Surgical Assessment clerks or nurses. From there, the patient is introduced to the app, walked through how it works, and provided answers to any questions.
Before surgery, patients use the app to access clear, easy-to-follow educational materials about their procedure, how to prepare, and what to expect. And it’s working: 96% of patients report feeling confident going into surgery after using the app.
After surgery, SeamlessMD becomes a personalized recovery coach. It delivers post-op instructions, tracks symptoms through daily Home Health Checks, and alerts the care team if anything seems off.
If a patient reports a symptom outside the norm, a Quinte Health nurse is notified. The nurse can follow up through the app or by phone—offering reassurance, advice, or next steps. Patients can even send photos through the app, allowing nurses to visually assess their healing progress.
“It’s an incredible tool,” said Heather Boomhour, Interim Manager of Pre-Surgical Clinics, Trenton Perioperative Services, and Minor Surgery Clinics. “It reassures patients to know there’s a real person on the other end ready to help. The ability to share photos and messages creates a connection that makes patients feel truly supported. It’s empowering.”
If the issue is more serious, nurses can coordinate directly with the patient’s surgeon. Before SeamlessMD, some of these concerns might have gone unreported or sent patients to the emergency department for something that could’ve been handled quickly with a phone call.
Bridging the gap between hospital and home can help prevent unnecessary emergency visits, streamline recovery, and strengthen communication between patients and care teams.
Quinte Health recently received SeamlessMD’s Patient Advocacy Award for achieving the highest enrollment rate among eligible patients—a clear sign that this approach is resonating with the community.
“I’m incredibly proud of our team,” said Kristina Cruess, Director of Quinte Health’s Surgical Program. “SeamlessMD allows us to extend our care into patients’ homes. It builds confidence, enhances safety, and keeps patients engaged in their recovery in a really meaningful way.”
The app is currently in use for six types of surgery, but there’s potential to expand it to other areas—such as stroke care or diabetes management.
“The possibilities are endless,” said Colin Catt, Virtual Care and Clinical Informatics Technical Specialist. “Remote care monitoring keeps patients where they’re most comfortable—at home. It’s not just about convenience. It’s about empowering patients, improving outcomes, and rethinking how we deliver care.”
#Connection
#StrongerTogether
