Android and Java app introduced for amputee profiling

An application for Android and Java enabled phones called ASCeNT or Amputee Screening through Cellphone Networking was developed by Ateneo Java Wireless Competency Center and Smart Communications, Inc. With a mobile solution for amputee profiling, people from distant areas can be assessed through submitted reports from the application and referred to specialists when necessary; which also makes follow-up care is more convenient. A version for iOS devices is being developed.

Dr. Jose Alvin Mojica, chairperson of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and Dr. Josephine Bundoc, head of the Prosthetics and Orthotics Unit, PGH, discussed the crucial role of the application in giving amputees better care by paperless and user-friendly methods. A demonstration of the mobile application was held with volunteer patients and physicians at the conference.

The main difference between the Android and Java version is that the Android version uses a touch-screen input while the Java version uses keypad input. Both require password to prevent unwanted access. By default, upon downloading the Android application from Google Play, the password is the lowercase letter “a”. Password settings, similar to other applications, can be changed by the user. All of the essential features for patient management like sending reports and viewing patient data are present in both versions.

Upon opening the application, two actions, Reports and Options, are presented to the user. Options containsettings such as password change, while Reports contain prosthesis and patient records. Upon pressing or selecting Reports, four options appear, namely Send Prosthesis Report, View Saved Patient Info, View Sent Reports and View Pending Reports. The app is able to take pictures of the prosthesis and the patient to be sent to a database for storage and analysis.

ASCeNT influenced the Philippine Health Insurance System to include prostheses in its reimbursement benefits.

“Because of the database we have via ASCeNT, we were able to convince PhilHealth to reimburse prostheses. So, starting June 2013, PhilHealth will now pay P15,000 for every prosthesis of an amputee,” Bundoc said. ASCeNT also received the Galing Kalusugan Awards from the Health Market Innovations in the Philippines in 2011.