Evidence

Published, peer reviewed, and measured at the bedside.

A quality improvement study at West Suffolk Hospital, before and after Virtual Bones was introduced, published in BMJ Open Quality in October 2026.

Evidence

Measured in a real emergency department.

Published in BMJ Open Quality, 6 October 2026. Read the paper

44minShorter time in the EDMean ED processing time fell from 166 to 122 minutes, and by up to 90 minutes for foundation doctors.p<0.0001
58%→30%Incomplete referrals nearly halvedReferrals with improper documentation fell from 58% to 30%.p<0.0001
23→10Fewer unnecessary referralsDischargeable injuries referred to the fracture clinic fell from 23 to 10.
39%→48%More virtual dischargesVirtual fracture clinic patients discharged without a face-to-face appointment rose from 39% to 48%.p=0.021
27%→41%More leaflets in handPatients given an information leaflet rose from 27% to 41%.p=0.032

Quality improvement study at West Suffolk Hospital. Pilot May to July 2023; 260 patients before and 258 after Virtual Bones was introduced.

Recognition

Award-winning, nationally and in the region.

HSJ Digital Awards 2024, Winner: Improving Urgent and Emergency Care through DigitalWinnerHSJ Digital Awards 2024Improving Urgent and Emergency Care through DigitalWest Suffolk Hospital and Virtual BonesNorfolk and Suffolk Health and Care Expo 2026Runner-upRunner-upNorfolk and Suffolk Health and Care Awards 2026Analogue to DigitalVirtual Bones, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
THE PAPER

Transforming musculoskeletal injury management using Virtual Bones: a novel digital solution

Mansour MA, Al-Kulabi A, Abbas M, Qaraqe L, Uwaoma S, Al-Sukaini A, Young L, Deakin S. BMJ Open Quality 2026;15(4):e004121. doi:10.1136/bmjoq-2025-004121. Open access, CC BY 4.0.

Read it in BMJ Open Quality

WHAT ELSE IT FOUND

Staff felt more confident in the four things the old way made hard.

The ED staff survey showed more confidence in the challenges they had named: navigating local guidelines, locating equipment, applying immobilisation devices and supplying information leaflets.

In the three-month pilot: 352 users, 2,400 sessions and 56,700 page views.

"Robust engagement with Virtual Bones, along with improved metrics, suggests that this digital solution effectively streamlined MSK injury pathways and helped staff manage challenges."

ALSO PUBLISHED · BRITISH ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATION

Virtual Bones™: How digital innovation helps deliver top-tier care for musculoskeletal injuries

Al-Sukaini A, Deakin S, Gill J. Journal of Trauma & Orthopaedics (BOA). March 2025;13(1):22-25.

Read the article

Results from a single site. Your department's results will depend on your pathways and how the app is used.

From the department

Virtual Bones is guiding our doctors, especially junior doctors, to manage their patients with bony injuries. This has expedited the timely discharge of patients from the emergency department.
Dr Iqteder UddinConsultant in Emergency Medicine, West Suffolk Hospital
Sometimes the X-ray on the app looks exactly the same as my patient's X-ray. It has been a big help with educating junior staff and showing them the equipment we use.
Martina StearneEmergency Nurse Practitioner
Incorporating local trauma policy and procedures, it has become a valuable resource for emergency medical and nursing staff here. Where equipment is kept has been especially helpful for new staff.
Jo LashwoodEmergency Nurse Practitioner
We get up to date, specific orthopaedic advice tailored to our department.
Johanna SelwayED Senior Registrar
A really good compendium of acute injuries with a regional approach, and a good educational resource.
Dr Victor NwokochaConsultant in Emergency Medicine