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The OuluHealth Labs have developed a systematic approach to evaluate digital and technological solutions. Health and Life Science companies that successfully went through the evaluation process receive an OuluHealth Labs Label as a form of acknowledgment. The first OuluHealth Labs Label has been granted to an Oulu-based health technology company, NE Device SW.
According to Timo Alalääkkölä, Manager at the Testing and Innovations unit at Oulu University Hospital, OuluHealth Labs have so far supported the development of approximately 150 solutions. The innovations have been tested in the labs with health and social care professionals from Oulu. Many of the cases resulted in prototype usability evaluations or summative tests with production-ready products. Some of the tests were based on feedback panels with health and social care professionals in order to evaluate early-phase solution ideas.
‘It is great to see the introduction of innovative health tech solutions that enable better care for the patients. Now we want to give recognition to companies who have created their solutions together with health and social care professionals. By listening to patients and professional end-users, companies can aim their development investment better. That helps also in creating products that meet the actual need better. Recently we have arranged test sessions to review various solutions for the needs of the Future Hospital OYS2030,’ explained Alalääkkölä.
The OuluHealth Labels are divided into three categories: approved, tested, and co-created. They can be used as a reference, for example, in companies’ marketing and communication. NE Device SW received the very first ‘co-created’ lebel. The company’s solution, Vitacam, was tested and co-created in cooperation with OYS TestLab during inDemand and POPsote projects in 2019 and 2020. The main goal was to select the companies and the innovations that had the most potential to tackle the challenges announced by healthcare providers. The companies were then invited to work with healthcare professionals from Oulu University Hospital on developing their solutions. As a result of this cooperation, a contactless vital sign monitor – Vitacam was co-created. The innovation uses computer vision and a regular digital camera to remotely measure patient’s respiratory rate and pulse. By providing nurses with additional clinical data, the innovation improves patient safety. Vitacam can be adapted to a smartphone and cloud-based solution for remote monitoring.
‘Co-operation with the OuluHealth Labs helped us to thoroughly understand the clinical need and shape the user experience directly with the Oulu University Hospital personnel. The latter phase included testing in the intended environment and with the intended users, both of which are essential in health technology development and regulatory compliance,’ said Moyeen Ahmad, CEO of NE Device SW.
The NE Device SW’s solution is now a CE-marked medical device that complies with EU legislation.
‘The Co-created with OuluHealth Labs label strengthens our credibility as a supplier and in marketing. It communicates that the solution was truly made for clinical users and developed with their input,’ concluded Ahmad.
Congratulations to NE Device SW for the recognition and terrific cooperation with the OuluHealth Labs.
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