Welfare Denmark awarded for innovation by Microsoft

Microsoft Health Users Group 2013 Innovation Awards Recognizes Health Organizations for Revolutionary Use of IT to Improve Care Coordination and Patient Outcomes.

Year after year, the Microsoft Health Users Group (Microsoft HUG) acknowledges innovative health organizations and their technology solution partners who utilize Microsoft-based technology to advance patient care, reduce costs and streamline clinical and business processes in the communities in which we all live.

Welfare Denmark ApS and Esbjerg Kommune were awarded in the Open Innovation category.

Kinect for Windows

Physical rehabilitation patients of Welfare Denmark are being treated online through the Citizen Care Administration (CCA) virtual rehabilitation module using Microsoft Kinect, which makes it possible to treat patients remotely. The platform also allows physicians to see whether patients have completed their rehabilitation exercises, as well as upload other relevant information to the system, further enhancing the platform’s value to patients and physicians.

In a case study of a 73-year-old utilizing CCA virtual rehab, as opposed to visiting a physical rehabilitation center in person post-operation, the reduced cost over a 3 -month period was approximately $2,500. The program is now being adopted across the entire Esbjerg municipality.

About Welfare Denmark

In Denmark, the policy among a large number of local authorities is to ensure that people are able to manage in their own homes for as long as possible.

Welfare Denmark is supporting this policy by providing interactive welfare technology solutions developed in close collaboration with local authorities and the end user. Welfare Denmark uses innovation that is geared at the end user to ensure that IT adapts to what people actually need – rather than the other way round.

Welfare Denmark develops welfare technology systems for the public sector. These systems include Virtuelle Genoptræning® (Virtual Rehabilitation) and Virtuel Forflytningsvejledning (Virtual Relocation Guidance).

Virtual rehabilitation:

The system has been developed in close collaboration with physiotherapists and the end user. It is a tool used by physiotherapists for rehabilitation purposes. The system also runs independently of broadband connections.

Virtual relocation:

Next generation e-learning (pcs) provides effective and measurable learning for healthcare professionals right across the board.

About Kinect for Windows

Kinect for Windows is transforming how people interact with computers, kiosks, and other motion-controlled devices. From healthcare and physical therapy to retail, education, and training, Kinect for Windows is making it possible for computers to work for us instead of the other way around.

Source: Microsoft, Kinect for Windows, Welfare Denmark