North Estonia Medical Centre (Põhja-Eesti Regionaalhaigla) adopts Dermtest Pildivaatur in plastic surgery

Plastic surgery and wound care require visual precision. In this field, the North Estonia Medical Centre (Regionaalhaigla) has chosen a path where medical imaging supports clinical decisions, streamlines workflows, and improves the overall patient experience.

To drive innovation in visual documentation for plastic surgery and wound care, Regionaalhaigla is collaborating with Dermtest, a member of Tehnopol’s HealthTech Community. According to Dr. Tiiu Kaha, Head of the II Orthopaedics Department and the Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit, the initiative began with a clear practical need to develop a systematic, secure, and user-friendly solution for capturing and managing medical images.

“In plastic surgery and wound care, visual information is absolutely critical,” Dr. Kaha explains. “Patients often forget what condition they initially came in with. Before-and-after photos help doctors assess the effectiveness of treatment and support both clinical documentation and the patient’s understanding of their condition.”

Pildivaatur in Regionaalhaigla’s clinical workflow

The first phase of implementing Dermtest’s Pildivaatur tool is taking place in one department with a smaller group of users. The goal is to evaluate how well the solution integrates into clinical workflows, supports treatment decisions, and creates added value throughout the care journey.

“We’re currently testing the system in outpatient clinics, inpatient departments, operating rooms, and during consultations,” says Dr. Kaha. “With Pildivaatur, we can monitor the progression of skin rashes, skin tumors, soft tissue injuries, various chronic ulcers, and more. Patient data is protected and privacy is ensured. Consistency is key — every step of the treatment process must be documented.”

The technology enables secure photo storage, links images to specific patients, and allows access to be managed based on user rights. Images can also be transmitted to the national medical image bank via Dermtest’s image handling software, making it easier to collaborate with other hospitals.

Impact on treatment quality and patient experience

Pildivaatur contributes to a more holistic patient care journey by enabling the documentation of treatment progress over time — a valuable tool for both doctors and patients. For instance, visual material helps track the progression or healing of burn wounds, plan reconstructive surgeries, and assess complications.

“Images are part of the treatment,” says Dr. Kaha. “When patients can see their own healing through photos, it can motivate them to follow treatment guidelines more seriously.”

More efficient clinical workflows

Pildivaatur helps doctors and nurses focus on core medical work by reducing the need for lengthy written descriptions. It also supports standardized documentation and enables remote consultations. When necessary, the system allows for collaboration with specialists from other hospitals.

“I sincerely hope this solution makes our work smoother and more transparent while laying a stronger foundation for the adoption of additional digital tools,” adds Dr. Kaha.

The role of the community in fostering innovation

Dr. Kaha also highlights the importance of health technology communities, such as Tehnopol, in supporting the creation of such collaboration projects.

“These kinds of ecosystems help bring together doctors, developers, and decision-makers. They create a shared understanding of needs and accelerate the testing and adoption of new solutions,” Dr. Kaha notes. Such communities also enhance the visibility and trustworthiness of new technologies in the healthcare sector.

The collaboration between Regionaalhaigla and Dermtest is a strong example of how a practical medical need, the flexibility of a tech developer, and the support of a healthtech ecosystem can lead to a solution that improves treatment quality, streamlines workflows, and enhances the patient experience.

Photos: Regionaalhaigla, Dermtest