At the MCU Koloseum in Liberec, the second edition of the Open Innovation Camp took place, focusing on testing a prototype of an app developed as part of the international project Health Labs4Value. This project connects healthcare institutions, startups, and experts across Central Europe to create innovative solutions tailored to patients’ needs. Twenty patients after spinal injuries, along with their family members, participated, getting hands-on experience with the app and offering valuable feedback. Experts from the Regional Hospital Liberec (KNL), students from the Technical University of Liberec (TUL), and representatives from DEX Innovation Centre (DEX IC)—key players in bridging technological innovation with healthcare practice—also took part in the testing. “The goal of the event was to gather further feedback from patients and healthcare professionals so that the app can best meet their needs,” said Vendula Macháčková from KNL. The App Aids in Self-Care and Pressure Sore Prevention The app is designed to enhance the quality of life for spinal patients, focusing primarily on self-care, the prevention of pressure ulcers, and rehabilitation. “The app is particularly useful from a prevention standpoint—for both patients and healthcare staff who can manage follow-up care more effectively,” added Vojtěch Veselý, COO of MEBSTER, the company developing the app. Living Labs: Innovation in Real Time The Health Labs4Value project utilizes the Living Labs approach, testing technologies in real time with end users. This method allows rapid adjustments to the app based on feedback, increasing the chances of a successful final product. During testing, participants actively assessed the app’s user interface. David Kárník, a TUL student who facilitated discussions with patients, noted, “Patients liked the app and found it clear. More experienced users even suggested improvements that could help newcomers.” From the perspective of healthcare professionals, the app’s benefits were highlighted by Markéta Hašková, a physiotherapist at the KNL spinal unit: “This project allowed me to embody all my past experiences and pass them on, so we can help even more patients.” Patients Welcome the New Technology The patient participants see the app as a significant benefit to their everyday lives. Petr Stanislav, who has been using a wheelchair since 2016, commented, “It’s fantastic that we can be part of developing an app that may help both current and future wheelchair users. As soon as it’s available for download, I’m definitely going to use it.” Other participants appreciated the app’s intuitive controls and the ability to customize its features according to individual needs. Jana Novotná, who joined the testing while accompanying her husband, said, “I like that the app considers not only the needs of patients but also those of their family members. It helps us better understand how to care for a loved one with a spinal injury.” Next Steps for the Health Labs4Value Project The insights gathered from Open Innovation Camp II will be used to make final adjustments to the app, which has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for spinal injury patients. With international collaboration involving partners from Austria, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, and Hungary, the Health Labs4Value project promotes the sharing of best practices and innovations on a European level. DEX Innovation Centre will continue to play a key role in connecting healthcare professionals, developers, and patients to create the most effective solution possible. Helena Jurašková from DEX Innovation Centre said about the event, “Such meetings are the culmination of several months of effort and cooperation. Bringing all stakeholders together creates a dynamic that clearly shows the Living Labs approach works in practice. In the coming months, we will focus not only on further app development but also on analyzing key insights that could play a crucial role in shaping national healthcare frameworks and facilitating the transfer of technologies and innovations into healthcare systems. Open Innovation Camp once again demonstrated the incredible passion and energy of all participants—and we’re already looking forward to the next steps together!”
