From hospital wards to patients’ homes: digital health innovations now tested and ready for scaling
August 2025 – Central Europe – After two years of intensive collaboration across six countries, the EU-funded Health Labs4Value project has successfully completed its Living Lab pilots, bringing patient-centred digital health solutions from concept to reality. With pilots in Hungary, Slovenia, Germany, Czech Republic and Poland – and a Living Lab methodology developed by ZSI – the initiative has demonstrated how co-creation and innovation can reshape care pathways, empower patients, and relieve overstretched healthcare systems.
Patient-centred innovations across Europe
Hungary’s TritonLife Group piloted a new patient management system to streamline surgical workflows — from scheduling and logistics to post-operative feedback. “Tasks that used to require multiple calls and follow-ups are now transparent and efficient,” said Alexandra, a case manager at TritonLife.
Czech Republic’s Liberec Living Lab co-created a self-care app for spinal cord injury patients, offering pressure-ulcer prevention tools, reminders, and guided exercises. “The app helps me remember to change my position every two hours—something I used to forget at home,” shared one patient.
Germany launched ActiveTEP, the first independent app supporting the 200,000 Germans undergoing hip replacement surgery each year. Available since May 2025 in major app stores, it provides structured preparation and aftercare, preventing complications and reducing recovery times.
Slovenia tested the Healthlord application, making rehabilitation exercises available in simple video form. Patients scan a QR code to access tailored instructions, without complex logins. “I couldn’t remember all the details after surgery, but the app reassured me I was doing my exercises correctly,” said a 70-year-old patient.
Poland’s Lodz University Hospital implemented a biometric e-signature system, replacing paper-based workflows. Patients now sign documents electronically on tablets, saving time and reducing bureaucracy. “Even older patients were able to use the system with just a bit of guidance. It’s a big step forward in modernizing our workflows,” noted a nurse.
ZSI (Austria) leads the methodological development of the Living Lab approach and supports the upscaling of five technical solutions within national health systems
Lessons learned
Across all pilots, two insights stood out:
1. Early and continuous involvement of patients ensured usability, trust, and real clinical impact.
2. Co-creation with diverse stakeholders — from caregivers to software developers — accelerated adoption, despite challenges like staff time constraints or varying digital literacy.
What’s next
The solutions are not stopping with the pilots:
· Slovenia and Poland will expand their apps and e-signature systems across more hospitals.
· Germany is scaling ActiveTEP through clinical trials and planning extensions to knee and shoulder patients.
· Hungary is institutionalising its patient management system across the TritonLife Group.
· The Czech Republic will hand off its validated app to a development partner for full rollout under national funding.
Building a sustainable future
To secure long-term impact, Health Labs4Value partners are pursuing diverse sustainability paths: commercialization, institutional integration, and cross-border partnerships. Together, these efforts aim to embed the Living Lab model into everyday healthcare practice across Central Europe.
“Health Labs4Value shows what’s possible when patients, clinicians, and innovators truly co-create,” said Dr. Anne Postler, University Hospital Dresden. “These solutions are practical, scalable, and already making a difference.”
Learn More
The Health Labs4Value project is dedicated to transforming healthcare through innovation and collaboration. To stay updated on our progress, please visit our website and follow us on social media:
Website: www.interreg-central.eu/projects/health-labs4value
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HealthLabs4Value
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups/9346332/
The Health Labs4Value project, funded by the Internet Central Europe Programme, aims to improve the health system by using the methodology of so-called living laboratories and the co-creation method.’ or something similar.
