Digital transformation in ophthalmology the collaboration between Retina Surgery Center and Qualogy

Discover the unique collaboration between Retina Surgery Center and Qualogy, bringing together medical knowledge and technological expertise to create an adaptive data system to match advances in medicine. Vitreoretinal surgeon Eric Lindstedt played a central role in this journey and shares insights on the origins and ambitions of this partnership.

The evolution of ophthalmology
Eric Lindstedt is a vitreoretinal surgeon and has worked at the Retina Surgery Center in Amstelveen since 2018. During his training and career as a vitreoretinal surgeon, Eric has witnessed the transformation in ophthalmology up close. From lengthy retinal surgery under anesthesia to more efficient, almost painless procedures under local anesthesia. Innovations, such as mini-tubes and thin instruments like the 25-gauge, have transformed surgical procedures and resulted in faster recovery times. A positive trend is also the growing availability of data that is crucial to ophthalmology. However, this growth in technological data also underscores the need for a flexible data system that adapts to the evolving needs of ophthalmology.

The importance of accurate data and integrated systems
The primary goal of a good system is to accurately record and analyze treatment outcomes. This allows professionals to understand specific numbers, such as the number of reoperations and patients’ initial versus final vision. With this data, they can offer concrete prognoses to patients. Eric points out, “For example, with a recurrence rate of around 3-4%, we are trying to outperform the national average of 5-6%. Capturing these outcomes not only helps monitor quality, but also provides valuable insights for patient care.”

“The dependence on IT systems in medicine is so integrated that we are at a stalemate when the system fails.”

The original MS-DOS-based system used by Retina, though once groundbreaking, was showing its age in the digital age. Designed as an all-in-one solution on a USB, it began to show instability with increasing data input. The limitations in data storage and analysis highlighted the need for an updated, integrated Electronic Patient Record (EHR).

Working together for digital progress: Mendix, data security and system optimization
It was decided to connect a professional party, and in the collaboration with Qualogy, Mendix was chosen as the platform to build the new system. Besides the fact that Mendix is durable and reliable, the platform is particularly user-friendly, which makes programming easier. Another important advantage is the guarantee of data security. Moreover, the platform offers the necessary flexibility; adjustments can be made quickly, which is crucial for effective interaction with customers.

 “Data not only helps monitor quality, but also provides valuable insights for patient care.”

Eric says, “The primary source of input was initially unclear during the design phase of our new system. After careful consideration, we decided to use EMMA as our primary input, our original database. This was primarily determined by the presence of several modules that were integrated into the old system, such as a letter module and prescription functionality. This choice allowed us to focus on entering data exclusively in a reliable environment while ensuring the integration of older data.

Qualogy made a valuable contribution by actively participating in optimizing our system. Among other things, they improved the user experience by adding additional graphics and restyling the interface for more intuitive navigation. The contrast between the old and new system is evident, especially in terms of visual presentation and logical placement of elements. The new setup also simplifies processes, reducing the number of actions we need to perform for data processing. Although advanced statistical analysis is not yet integrated, the new system does offer the potential to add it in the future.”

“Qualogy has made a valuable contribution by actively thinking along in optimizing our system.”

Partnership in practice: the synergy between Retina and Qualogy
The cooperation between Retina and Qualogy went to the full satisfaction of both parties. In particular, the direct lines of communication made the collaboration efficient. The fact that Eric, a surgeon with practical experience, served as a direct point of contact facilitated the process considerably. Although Eric faced some resistance from his critical colleagues when introducing changes, he found that after some getting used to it, efficiency increased. People who have worked with the same system for years may be reluctant to change, but with a surgeon at the helm, it was easier to get everyone on board.

Weekly meetings provided continuity and a consistent feedback mechanism. Key users were part of the Retina project team and thus were able to provide direct input, allowing for quick adjustments. This efficiency was enhanced by being able to call or message directly outside of scheduled meetings. The short lines of communication allowed for quick and focused communication, making the project run smoothly.

“The right project environment is important for driving productivity and innovation.”

Innovation through freedom
The pleasant cooperation is also cherished from Qualogy. Valuable in a project is the ability to start from scratch – it provides the teams with the unique opportunity to be truly creative and innovative. This project was a perfect example of that. Despite the client’s clear guidelines, the Mendixers were given remarkable scope to contribute their own insights. This offered the team the chance to fully utilize their knowledge and creativity. This freedom led to intensive and fruitful collaboration, not only with the client but also between the juniors and seniors within the team. This composition within the team allowed them to benefit from both fresh perspectives and years of experience.

Rawi Bodha, team lead, emphasizes the freedom the team experienced from Retina: “It was refreshing to see that when we could substantiate our proposals well, they were almost always received positively and incorporated into the project. The informal atmosphere and the trust the client placed in us motivated the team to go above and beyond themselves. As a result, they regularly went beyond regular working hours, driven purely by their passion and commitment to the project. It shows how important the right project environment is for driving productivity and innovation.

“The ultimate goal remains to increase usability and ensure the best possible patient care.”

The benefits of technological advances in the medical field
In medicine, data plays a crucial role. As Eric points out, “The dependence on IT systems is so integrated that we are at a stalemate when the system fails. Nevertheless, there are areas where further improvement is desirable, as in the case of the EMMA system. Although the system performs essential functions, it would be ideal if it could be more intuitive in transferring data from one field to another without repetitive input. The evolution to an EMMA 2.0 could address these inefficiencies.

Another welcome addition would be the integration of a drawing program, given the visual nature of many medical procedures. Drawings, now created externally, often provide an immediate overview of a patient situation without the need for lengthy text descriptions. Unfortunately, these images are sometimes lost, although they can be invaluable to a patient’s record.”

Despite the challenges, the ongoing push for improvement – such as the recent implementation of the EMMA imager – demonstrates the benefits of technological advances in the medical field. “The ultimate goal remains to increase usability and ensure the best possible patient care.” concludes Eric.