From hospital wards to patients’ homes: digital health innovations now tested and ready for scaling
August 2025 – Central Europe – After two years of intensive collaboration across six countries, the EU-funded Health Labs4Value project has successfully completed its Living Lab pilots, bringing patient-centred digital health solutions from concept to reality. With pilots in Hungary, Slovenia, Germany, Czech Republic and Poland the initiative has demonstrated how co-creation and innovation can reshape care pathways, empower patients, and relieve overstretched healthcare systems.
Patient-centred innovations across Europe
Hungary’s TritonLife Group piloted a new patient management system to streamline surgical workflows — from scheduling and logistics to post-operative feedback. “Tasks that used to require multiple calls and follow-ups are now transparent and efficient,” said Alexandra, a case manager at TritonLife.
Czech Republic’s Liberec Living Lab co-created a self-care app for spinal cord injury patients, offering pressure-ulcer prevention tools, reminders, and guided exercises. “The app helps me remember to change my position every two hours—something I used to forget at home,” shared one patient.
Germany launched ActiveTEP, the first independent app supporting the 200,000 Germans undergoing hip replacement surgery each year. Available since May 2025 in major app stores, it provides structured preparation and aftercare, preventing complications and reducing recovery times.
Slovenia tested the Healthlord application, making rehabilitation exercises available in simple video form. Patients scan a QR code to access tailored instructions, without complex logins. “I couldn’t remember all the details after surgery, but the app reassured me I was doing my exercises correctly,” said a 70-year-old patient.
Poland’s Lodz University Hospital implemented a biometric e-signature system, replacing paper-based workflows. Patients now sign documents electronically on tablets, saving time and reducing bureaucracy. “Even older patients were able to use the system with just a bit of guidance. It’s a big step forward in modernizing our workflows,” noted a nurse.
Lessons learned
Across all pilots, two insights stood out:
- Early and continuous involvement of patients ensured usability, trust, and real clinical impact.
- Co-creation with diverse stakeholders — from caregivers to software developers — accelerated adoption, despite challenges like staff time constraints or varying digital literacy.
What’s next
The solutions are not stopping with the pilots:
- Slovenia and Poland will expand their apps and e-signature systems across more hospitals.
- Germany is scaling ActiveTEP through clinical trials and planning extensions to knee and shoulder patients.
- Hungary is institutionalising its patient management system across the TritonLife Group.
- The Czech Republic will hand off its validated app to a development partner for full rollout under national funding.
Building a sustainable future
To secure long-term impact, Health Labs4Value partners are pursuing diverse sustainability paths: commercialization, institutional integration, and cross-border partnerships. Together, these efforts aim to embed the Living Lab model into everyday healthcare practice across Central Europe.
| “Health Labs4Value shows what’s possible when patients, clinicians, and innovators truly co-create,” said Dr. Anne Postler, University Hospital Dresden. “These solutions are practical, scalable, and already making a difference.” |
Learn More
The Health Labs4Value project is dedicated to transforming healthcare through innovation and collaboration. To stay updated on our progress, please visit our website and follow us on social media:
Website: www.interreg-central.eu/projects/health-labs4value
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HealthLabs4Value
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups/9346332/
For more information, please contact:
Project Coordinator: Hegedűs István
E-Mail: istvan.hegedus@kdriu.hu
Phone: +36 70 342 6720
The Health Labs4Value project, funded by the Internet Central Europe Programme, aims to improve the health system by using the methodology of so-called living laboratories and the co-creation method.’ or something similar.
SLOVENIA
Supporting Rehabilitation with Digital Simplicity: Slovenia’s Health Labs4Value Pilot
Ljubljana, August 2025 – In Slovenia, the Health Labs4Value project has tested a new digital tool to make patient rehabilitation simpler and more effective. The pilot focused on helping people recover after injuries and surgeries in a hospital that treats nearly 100 injury cases each day, where staff shortages present daily challenges.
Traditionally, patients were sent home with printed handouts describing rehabilitation exercises. These were often hard to follow, and many details were quickly forgotten. To solve this, the hospital team piloted the Healthlord application, which provides exercise demonstrations in video form. Patients can now access clear instructions by scanning a simple QR code, without going through a registration process.
| “After my hand surgery, I struggled to remember everything the doctor showed me. With the app, I could watch the exercise videos whenever I needed. It reassured me that I was doing them correctly,” said a 70-year-old patient. |
Doctors have also noticed a difference. “Patients told us they practice their recovery exercises more often because they can rely on the app. This is a positive step in encouraging active participation in their rehabilitation,” said Dr. Anja Jovanović Kunstelj, surgeon at the pilot hospital.
The pilot confirmed that easy, registration-free access is crucial in the first days after injury. More advanced features, such as personalized rehabilitation plans or remote consultations, can be added later for patients who want extra support.
Looking ahead, Slovenia plans to keep the app available to patients from other hospitals and expand its content to cover additional medical conditions. The project team is exploring partnerships and funding options to ensure long-term use and development.
For more information:
MedTech – Chamber of Medical Technology and Services
Dimičeva ulica 13, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia (SI)
Web: www.gzs.si ; https://medtechslovenija.gzs.si/
CZECH REPUBLIC
Liberec Living Lab Creates App for Spinal Cord Injury Self-Care
Liberec, August 2025 – Patients with spinal cord injuries face daily challenges in managing their health at home. To address this, the Czech Living Lab in Liberec, as part of the Health Labs4Value project, co-created a new mobile application with patients, families, and clinicians.
The app supports users with positioning reminders, guided rehabilitation exercises, educational materials, and progress tracking. During testing, 20 patients and caregivers tried the prototype and provided feedback. Their suggestions shaped the app’s final design.
| “The app helps me remember to change my position every two hours—something I used to forget at home. I feel more confident managing my own care,” said one patient who has lived with spinal cord injury since 2016. |
Healthcare professionals also welcomed the tool. “Seeing our clinical protocols translated into an app has been incredible. Patients are more motivated, and we can focus on tailoring therapy instead of repeating basic reminders,” said a physiotherapist from Krajská nemocnice Liberec.
The biggest challenge was coordinating schedules among hospitals, patients, and facilitators. The team solved this by organizing focused mini-workshops that allowed faster, hands-on testing.
The validated app will now be further developed by technology partner Mebster under national innovation grants. Future plans include pilot launches in other Czech spinal units and integration into standard rehabilitation programmes.
For more information:
Regional Hospital Liberec
Husova 357/10, 46001 Liberec, Czechia (CZ)
Web: www.nemlib.cz
GERMANY
Germany Launches ActiveTEP App for Hip Replacement Patients
Dresden, August 2025 – Every year, around 200,000 people in Germany undergo hip replacement surgery. To support their recovery, the German Living Lab piloted ActiveTEP, the first health application in the country dedicated to guiding patients before and after hip replacement operations.
ActiveTEP provides daily training programmes, knowledge modules, and reminders during the twelve weeks surrounding surgery. It also includes personal diaries to track recovery progress. By doing so, it helps prevent complications, reduce pain, and support a faster return to everyday life.
| “Before my earlier operations, I lacked reliable information about what to expect and how to prepare. ActiveTEP now gives me guidance and reassurance I wish I’d had back then,” said a senior who tested the app. |
Medical staff also see the benefits. “The release of the ActiveTEP app is an important milestone for digital patient care. It supports both hospitalisation and aftercare, easing the workload of medical staff while strengthening patients’ own responsibility,” said PD Dr. Anne Postler, Senior Physician at the University Centre for Orthopaedics, Trauma & Plastic Surgery in Dresden.
The pilot showed the importance of involving patients early in the design process and ensuring clear communication between all partners.
ActiveTEP is now available in major app stores and participating clinics. In the coming months, a broad clinical study will test the app in real-world hospital settings. By 2026, the app is expected to expand to other joint replacement surgeries, including knees and shoulders.
For more information:
Dresden University Hospital
Fetscherstr. 74, 01309 Dresden, Germany (DE)
Web: www.uniklinikum-dresden.de/de
HUNGARY
Hungary Pilots Digital Surgery Management System to Improve Care
Budapest, April 2025 – Surgical procedures involve complex coordination between patients, doctors, and hospital staff. In Hungary, the Health Labs4Value project has piloted a new digital system to streamline this process, developed in cooperation with TritonLife Group and CTRIA.
The patient management system covers the full surgical pathway — from the first consultation and cost estimate to scheduling, logistics, and post-operative feedback.
| “Tasks that used to require multiple calls and manual follow-ups are now streamlined and transparent. The system supports collaboration across departments and improves patient confidence,” said Alexandra, case manager at TritonLife. |
The pilot confirmed that co-creation with staff and patients helped shape a system that meets real needs. Still, challenges emerged: engaging patients in administrative system testing proved difficult, and hospital staff had limited time to trial new software. These barriers were addressed through targeted incentives for patients, reorganized staff workflows, and closer communication with developers.
The solution will now be rolled out across all TritonLife hospitals, marking an important step toward institutionalisation. Hungary also plans to establish a national Health Labs4Value platform to continue developing and testing innovations in collaboration with partners at home and abroad.
For more information:
TritonLife Magánkórházak Zrt.
Lehel u. 59. C ep., H-1135 Budapest, Hungary (HU)
Web: https://tritonlife.hu/
POLAND
Lodz Hospital Introduces Biometric E-Signature for Patients
Lodz, April 2025 – Signing paperwork can be a small but frustrating barrier in healthcare. At the Central Teaching Hospital of the Medical University of Lodz (CSK-MUL), a pilot within the Health Labs4Value project tested a biometric e-signature system that simplifies the process for patients and staff alike.
The system allows patients to sign documents electronically using mobile or stationary tablets, while a smart pen remains available for those who prefer traditional formats. All signatures are legally valid and integrated into the hospital’s IT system.
| “I didn’t have to wait for a desk or a pen. Everything was there on the tablet — simple and clear,” said a patient participant. |
Staff also welcomed the innovation. “Even older patients were able to use the system with just a bit of guidance. It’s a big step forward in modernising our workflows,” said a nurse involved in the pilot.
The pilot confirmed that while some patients face challenges with digital tools, offering both electronic and analogue options ensures inclusivity. Overall, waiting times were reduced, and medical staff reported less paperwork and fewer delays.
Following positive results, CSK-MUL plans to expand the solution across more hospital departments and affiliated clinics. The pilot also lays the foundation for creating Territorial Health Living Labs in Poland, supporting further digital transformation in healthcare.
For more information:
Medical University of Lodz
al. Tadeusza Kościuszki 4, 90-419 Łódź, Poland (PL)
Web: https://umed.pl/
