Helios ENDO-Hospital Hamburg: Over 6,000 successful procedures
The quality contract was developed in 2022 by Heartbeat Medical as initiator and technical partner, together with Techniker Krankenkasse and, among others, Helios ENDO-Hospital Hamburg. Since then, it has evolved into one of the largest quality-oriented endoprosthetic programs in Europe, involving numerous health insurers.
The aim is to reduce complications and revision rates, measurably improve health-related quality of life, and transparently link quality with reimbursement.
PROM-based monitoring as a standard of care
A core element of the contract is structured digital monitoring over 12 months following hip, knee, or shoulder joint replacement. Standardized data on quality of life, pain, and function are collected throughout the treatment pathway. Defined thresholds trigger automated alerts when necessary, enabling care teams to respond early.
Depending on the joint and survey timing, between 6% and 24% of patients at Helios ENDO-Hospital Hamburg are actively contacted to initiate targeted interventions based on the collected data. This creates a structured, needs-based follow-up care system that ensures close monitoring even months after discharge.
Results confirm high quality of care
The collected results clearly demonstrate the high quality of care at Helios ENDO-Hospital Hamburg:
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92.65% of patients would choose the same operation again under the same circumstances
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94.57% report a noticeable improvement in their health-related quality of life
At the same time, a documentation rate of 98.39% ensures high data completeness and provides a reliable basis for evaluating quality contracts by IQTIG.
A key measure of treatment success is the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) — the smallest change in patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) that patients perceive as clinically meaningful in everyday life.
Twelve months after surgery:
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83.26% of patients with knee procedures achieved clinically meaningful improvement
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92.53% of patients with hip procedures achieved this outcome
Thus, the majority of patients achieve not only statistically measurable but also functionally noticeable improvements in mobility and quality of life.
The structured and continuous use of PROM data enables targeted and early management of follow-up care:
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abnormal developments are detected quickly
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unnecessary readmissions and inefficient treatments are avoided
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necessary interventions are initiated sooner
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risks of complications and revision surgeries are reduced
The combination of standardized monitoring, defined thresholds, and structured clinical feedback creates a robust data foundation for high-quality and economically sustainable care. The contract combines measurable quality improvement for insured patients with responsible resource utilization in a consistently patient-centered value-based care approach.
Stakeholder perspectives
Philip Wettengel, Managing Director of Helios ENDO-Hospital Hamburg:
“As a highly specialized orthopedic clinic, our goal is not only to achieve high-quality outcomes but also to demonstrate them reliably. With PROvalue, we extend our responsibility beyond inpatient care and integrate structured digital long-term monitoring into routine care. We support our patients well beyond discharge, detect relevant changes early, respond in a targeted manner, and make treatment outcomes transparently measurable. Over 6,000 monitored procedures show that this approach works both medically and in terms of responsible, value-based care.”
Yannik Schreckenberger, Founder and CEO of Heartbeat Medical: “Helios ENDO-Hospital Hamburg demonstrates how PROMs can become an integral part of high-quality care. Systematically measuring and using treatment outcomes creates the foundation for real quality improvement and reimbursement aligned with patient benefit.”
PROvalue™ Endo implements quality contracts in accordance with §110a SGB V and combines baseline measurements with a structured intervention phase. The goal is the systematic and verifiable improvement of patient-relevant outcomes while increasing economic efficiency.
About Heartbeat Medical
Heartbeat Medical is a leading provider in the use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and the implementation of outcome-based care, reimbursement, and research programs (VBHC). Founded in 2014, the company has digitally supported over half a million patients and enables PROvalue™ quality contracts with more than 65 health insurers in the fields of endoprosthetics, obstetrics, and malnutrition.
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