Andrews Institute Site of Revolutionary Healthcare Pilot Project

Web Power Harnessed to Streamline Delivery and Reduce Athletic Injuries

August 30, 2010

CAMBRIDGE, MA. - Seeking a way to substantially reduce injuries among young athletes, the Andrews Institute for Orthopedic & Sports Medicine will soon be the site of a groundbreaking pilot project with positive ramifications for healthcare delivery across the globe.

A four-day strategic planning session at Harvard University, led by Professor John Donovan of Cloud Industries Health*, brought together Baptist Health Care of Pensacola and the Andrews Institute, seeking innovative uses of Web technology and existing medical assets and practices. "I find the answer often lies in what I like to call 'lazy assets,'" explains Donovan. "Those procedures already in place that, with just a little tweaking, can produce dramatically different and beneficial results."

"Study after study has shown the vast majority of sports injuries are preventable," notes Dr. Jim Andrews*, founder of the Andrews Institute, adding, "I want to change the culture surrounding the often overwhelming competitive atmosphere in most youth sports."

Drawing on cutting edge Internet technologies, the Andrews Institute will bring the doctor/patient relationship into greater balance by providing the patient more control over their healthcare. Using a "Patient Portal," the patient can establish his/her medical record, as well as those of family members, schedule an appointment with the doctor online, exchange emails with the doctor and staff, select educational topics of specific interest and even receive an immediate estimate of insurance and out of pocket payments, based upon the specifics of your insurance policy and coverage.

Applying the technology to sports injury prevention, comprehensive training and education will be targeted toward the entire spectrum of sports medicine, allowing them access to the latest information and best practices in prevention and treatment. "We intend to take the Andrews Institute to the world," adds Dr. Andrews, "while demonstrating that the treatment available to sports superstars like Brett Favre is also accessible and available to very athlete and weekend warrior."

The Andrews Institute and Baptist Health Care of Pensacola pilot project will incorporate these and other innovations during the next several months. Dr. Thomas McGuire from the Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, will advise on initiating a study of the so-called "Saturday Clinic," designed to provide immediate access to high quality care for high school athletes competing in Friday Night Football and other sport activities.

*A legendary teacher and author at MIT for more than 30-years, as an entrepreneur, Professor Donovan has founded and directed more than two dozen companies and is known for his ability to discern patterns and trends in seemingly unrelated events and data. His innovative use of Avatar Technology is enabling physicians to interact with patients via the Internet in real time, opening new possibilities for time and financial savings.

*Dr. Jim Andrews is an internationally respected orthopedic surgeon, noted for his groundbreaking surgical and rehabilitative techniques benefiting thousands of professional and amateur athletes. His patients include sports luminaries Michael Jordan, Brett Favre, Roger Clemons and Tom Brady.