Managing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a challenge made more difficult by the inconvenient and one-time nature of in-clinic uroflow diagnostic tests. Accurate uroflowmetry data guides effective treatment, but traditional methods don’t provide the comprehensive, real-world insights that urologists need.
A recent interview by Dr. John Lin with Bishara Korkor, Co-Founder of Emano Flow, at the 2024 AUA annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas, highlights the advantages that Emano Flow home uroflowmetry brings to patients and urology practices.
Bishara Korkor (left) interviewed by John C. Lin, MD (right)
A More Convenient Approach to Uroflowmetry BPH is a widespread condition for older men ; about 25% of 55-year-olds have symptoms of BPH. By age 75 that number grows to roughly 50%. BPH symptoms can worsen over time, from urgency and difficulty urinating to incontinence, infection, and more — sending many of these men to the urologist to diagnose and treat the condition.
Korkor says, “Emano Flow home uroflowmetry helps urologists tackle the enormous BPH population that constitutes 40 – 50% of patients for the average urology practice.”
Using an innovative audio-detecting technology, Emano Flow empowers patients to take flow measurements in their home environment. Patients download the Emano Flow home uroflowmetry app to their IOS and Android smartphones. On the way to the bathroom, the patient simply presses a button on their Emano Flow app, and the necessary flow data is reliably captured regardless of background noise.
By making it easy for patients to collect multiple uroflows over time, Emano Flow solves the challenges of traditional in-clinic uroflow diagnostic tests and meets urologists’ need for more complete flow data.
Data-Driven Patient Care Enabling more data-driven care is one of most significant contributions of home uroflowmetry. In addition to flow data, patients self-report and record their symptoms in the app.
Korkor says, “We’re able to provide physicians a comprehensive bladder diary and a more complete picture of the patient’s urinary life. The urologist receives a data-driven centerpiece to use to discuss with the patient and to make more informed treatment decisions.”
Korkor says, “For example, by offering before-and-after intervention measurements, Emano Flow allows physicians to demonstrate tangible improvements—or identify when it’s time to try alternative treatments. This approach streamlines the treatment process and builds confidence in the care provided.”
Enhancing Patient Experience and Compliance The Emano Flow smartphone app was designed with the patient in mind, particularly older patients who experience urgency and may find complex technology daunting. The user-friendly design helps patients of all ages to use the app.
Emano Flow’s attention to the patient experience has led to extraordinary compliance rates. App users have an average age of 67 and typically record more than 63 urinations over the recording period.
The technology’s ease of use has been noted by patients such as a 98-year-old who used the app for over 100 home uroflowmetry recordings. Many patients also appreciate having access to their data, which can foster a deeper engagement with their healthcare.
Korkor says, “We’re getting tremendous patient engagement. Patients are reaching out to us, wanting second orders. The patients really like having that data.”
No Setup or Calibration Required Unlike conventional and other home based uroflow diagnostic tests that require setup and calibration, Emano Flow requires no calibration. The smartphone app automatically accounts for variables such as bathroom acoustics, toilet bowl geometries, and water depths. Emano Flow’s simplicity allows for reliable data collection by the patient, under real-world conditions.
Financial Benefits for Urology Practices Emano Flow offers both clinical and financial benefits for urology practices. Typically, urology clinics bill Emano Flow recordings as a complex uroflow procedure with a professional component modifier for interpretation.
Korkor says, “Emano Flow pays for itself and leads to a return on investment. Private urology practices need to make sure they’re covering their financial bases, and an exciting part is the potential to streamline the practice. If you are capable of fewer appointments to find the right treatments as driven by data, you’re able to open your practice to higher-yield patients.”
With Emano Flow’s per-provider subscription model, there are no limitations on the number of patients or flow recordings. This model enables practices to use Emano Flow as much as they like and achieve a strong return on investment. The predictable expenditure model appeals to administrators because it allows for financial planning and resource allocation.
Remote Follow-Ups: The Future of Patient Care Emano Flow home uroflowmetry enhances the patient experience while driving efficiencies in urology practices. Telemedicine is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of modern healthcare, and Emano Flow is at the forefront of this evolution in urology. Urologists can review Emano Flow recorded urination data with the patient by video or phone, enhancing patient convenience and reallocating in-clinic time to serve additional patients.
Korkor says, “By reducing the need for multiple appointments to find the right treatment, Emano Flow frees up valuable time. Practices can then accommodate new patients, or those with more complex needs—ultimately driving revenue growth.”
Remote follow-ups can also help ensure that treatment adjustments can be made promptly. In short, Emano Flow helps practices deliver high-quality care while maintaining flexibility in patient management.
Conclusion Emano Flow represents a significant advancement in uroflowmetry technology, offering a solution that benefits both patients and healthcare providers. With its patient-centered design, data-driven approach, and financial advantages, Emano Flow is not just a tool for collecting uroflow data—it’s a comprehensive solution for improving patient care and practice efficiency.
Korkor says, “This is about better care for patients. Better practice workflows for physicians, and for addressing the list of woes about taking in-clinic uroflow diagnostic tests.”
By embracing Emano Flow, urology practices can streamline workflow and operations, enhance patient satisfaction, and deliver data-driven care for those suffering from BPH. The future of uroflow diagnostic testing is here, and it’s more efficient, accurate, and patient-friendly than ever before.
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