As value-based care continues to reshape musculoskeletal health, orthopaedic nurses are on the front lines, driving patient outcomes, supporting care coordination, and increasingly influencing the technologies their systems choose to implement.
This was clearer than ever at the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) 45th Annual Congress, where the Force Therapeutics team had the opportunity to present results alongside our partners, connect with nurse navigators and quality leaders, and hear firsthand what the NAON community is focused on.
Here’s what we learned and what healthcare leaders should take away from this year’s Congress.
1. PROMs Collection Remains a Priority and a Challenge
With the CMS THA/TKA PRO-PM mandate now in effect, nearly every orthopaedic nurse we spoke to was navigating the pressure of collecting patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), specifically 1-year post-op surveys that must be matched with pre-op data for at least 50% of eligible patients.
Despite their best efforts, many still struggle to meet thresholds. Several attendees reported using paper forms and return envelopes or manual phone outreach just to inch closer to compliance. Once collected, the data must then be formatted and entered into the EHR by hand, or submitted directly to a registry, taking up even more valuable time without delivering the required PROs results. As one navigator told us, “We’re doing everything we can, but we’re not hitting the mark.”
Hospitals need more than box-checking solutions that divert time from the patients who need it most. They need a digitally integrated, patient-centric workflow for long-term data collection. Force’s engaging PROMs collection platform is purpose-built to meet CMS requirements, ease staff burden, and preserve the patient experience.
2. Orthopaedic Nurses and Navigators Are Hungry for Innovation
From patient portals to remote care tools, the clinicians we met weren’t just curious about technology. They were actively evaluating tools that could help them scale care and improve outcomes.
This group came prepared with questions about digital navigation, workflow automation, and the role of personalized education in driving recovery. Importantly, their questions weren’t theoretical. Many were already advocating internally for tools that help them better connect with their patients.
One attendee put it plainly: “We need platforms that let us stay human while being more efficient. I want to send videos, answer questions, prevent avoidable visits, and not burn out while doing it.”
This community is ready to champion change and their collective knowledge can help hospitals and health systems inform smarter and more effective decisions surrounding digital care and enablement solutions. Patient-centric solutions that succeed in this space will equip nurses with tools they trust, while elevating their role in the broader care journey.
3. NAON Research Heavily Featured Force Therapeutics
Among the various research papers and posters and educational sessions presented at NAON, many featured outcomes delivered by the Force Therapeutics solution and the incredible orthopedic nurses that use the platform everyday.
Our CEO and founder Bronwyn Spira presented research that was produced in partnership with Dartmouth Health. Our coproduced paper “Patient Satisfaction is Nearly 90% After Total Knee Arthroplasty; We Are Better Than We Were”, published in The Journal of Arthroplasty, highlights the power of patient-centered care and how advancements in arthroplasty techniques and technologies have yielded better outcomes for patients.
Our partners at Hartford HealthCare’s Bone & Joint Institute shared their presentation “Multifaceted Approach to Improving Pre-operative and 12 Week Patient Reported Outcome (PROs) Measure Capture”, showcasing the organizations commitment to boosting PROMs compliance and enhancing care quality and patient outcomes.
Additionally, the amazing team at Hartford HealthCare’s Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute presented “Elevating Excellence: A Shared Vision to Enhance Patient Experience in Orthopedic Surgery,” reflecting their deep commitment to improving patient outcomes and satisfaction in orthopedic care.
We congratulate our hospital partners and friends on these incredible accomplishments, and we are proud to be supporting them in their mission of bringing personalized, high-quality care to every patient.
4. Patient-Centricty Matters
Force Therapeutics stood out, not just for our research partnerships and session presence, but also for how clearly our booth, posters, and conversations articulated a patient-centric vision of surgical recovery.
Throughout the conference, attendees consistently engaged with our core message: engaged patients drive better outcomes, and nurses are central to enabling that engagement.
Many expressed frustration with platforms that don’t allow two-way communication with patients. Others shared concerns about solutions that prioritize reporting over real impact and engagement with their patients.
As healthcare moves further into value-based care, providers are seeking technologies that reflect their values and elevate the care they provide to patients. At NAON, purpose-built, patient-centered, and proven technologies resonated strongly with orthopedic nurses. At Force, we’re not just collecting data. We’re building trust with patients, improving workflows for care teams, and empowering better care for all.
A Final Thought: NAON Is the Right Room for This Conversation
As we continue to partner with health systems on surgical episode optimization and longitudinal care management, Force is eager to deepen our relationship with this vibrant and motivated clinical community.
We look forward to returning to NAON in 2026 and exploring additional collaboration opportunities.
Interested in learning more? Schedule an introduction conversation today.
