Pip Care, a company dedicated to improving the surgical experience for both care teams and patients, has successfully completed a $5 million equity funding round as part of its Series A financing. The funding was spearheaded by A1 Health Ventures, with existing investor UPMC Enterprises also contributing to the round.

The Series A funding comes shortly after Pip Care received a substantial $2.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to initiate a trial involving 2,000 patients, further highlighting the company’s commitment to advancing its innovative platform.

Innovative Approach to Surgical Care

Pip Care aims to transform the surgical journey by integrating a smartphone application with the support of dedicated health coaches. This unique combination is designed to offer patients tailored guidance throughout their surgical experience. According to Kathy Kaluhiokalani, founder and CEO of Pip Care, the recent funding is a testament to the progress made thus far and will help propel the company into its next growth phase. "We are committed to delivering the most impactful, tech-enabled, human-powered medical optimization platform to health systems, surgical care teams, and their patients," she stated.

The company stands out in the market as it is the first mobile application to connect patients with real-life health coaches who provide continuous support. This approach encompasses pre-operative and post-operative care, including the tracking of evidence-based protocols and the provision of specific instructions related to surgeries and surgeons. Research indicates that patients utilizing Pip Care typically experience shorter hospital stays, averaging nearly a day less than those who do not engage with the app, while also reducing their risk of readmission within a week following surgery by 50%.

Enhancing Patient Engagement and Outcomes

The service offering from Pip Care includes live sessions with health coaches, which significantly enhances patient engagement, adherence, and overall satisfaction. Rachel Kern, managing director at A1 Health Ventures, emphasized the impact of this high-touch model, stating, "Pip Care's differentiated service offering drives better outcomes for patients, lowers costs for health systems, and allows for standardization and consistency while alleviating the administrative burden on care teams."

Since its inception in 2022, Pip Care has emerged as a leader in patient-focused surgical optimization, developed through a partnership between global healthcare venture builder Redesign Health and UPMC Enterprises. According to Aman Mahajan, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., chief medical officer of Pip Care and senior vice president of health innovation at UPMC Enterprises, the clinician-originated approach ensures that patients receive timely support based on evidence-based perioperative care, thus improving surgical outcomes.

Prehabilitation and Personalized Support

Prior to elective surgeries, medical professionals often recommend that patients engage in prehabilitation, which includes adhering to evidence-based protocols aimed at improving overall health. These may involve enhancing nutrition, physical fitness, psychological well-being, and even quitting smoking. Pip Care simplifies these presurgical instructions into manageable daily tasks that patients can easily follow. Health coaches are available to answer questions and provide accountability, extending their support through post-surgical care, which includes explaining discharge instructions and the significance of proper pain management.

The Pip Care platform not only enhances clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction but does so without necessitating additional staffing or convoluted workflows. By streamlining the patient care process, Pip Care can shift more than 20 patient interactions to its platform, saving over 10 hours of front office time per patient and enabling clinicians to operate at the top of their professional capabilities.

Pip Care’s innovative platform enables healthcare systems to craft personalized programs for their patients, employing a digital platform to streamline and optimize all facets of the surgical journey. The recent funding and grant will further empower Pip Care to enhance its offerings, ensuring that patients receive the necessary support to navigate their surgical experiences effectively. With a vision to continue driving improvements in surgical care, Pip Care is positioned to make a significant impact in the healthcare industry.