SERVICES SPOTLIGHT
A PATIENT using a telehealth monitor can easily and quickly collect and securely transmit data on four key vital signs: heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and weight.
Staying Healthy at Home Just Got Easier
FOR MANY home care patients, advances in technology are really hitting home by giving them the ability to better manage their health. Thanks to state-of-the-art telehealth monitoring equipment, it’s never been easier for these patients and their caregivers to manage chronic disease and other medical conditions, all in the comfort of their own homes.
In-home telehealth monitoring, such as that offered by Brevard, Florida-based Health First Home Care, offers peace of mind for patients and their family members. It brings sophisticated healthcare diagnostics into the home of select patients to collect data that home health clinicians monitor from remote locations. Working with physicians, the clinicians track each patient’s progress and intervene as necessary.
Peace Of Mind For Patients and Families
Family members like Ellen, who cares for her 88-year old husband with Congestive Heart Failure with help from her Health First Home Care team, appreciate that peace of mind.
“I’ve been very grateful for the telehealth monitoring system,” says Ellen. “It’s been so helpful for me to know what my husband’s vital signs are every day. That way, we’re able to make any adjustments right away.”
“Good morning,” says a pleasant voice when the monitoring system activates each morning at a preset time. It then gives step-by-step instructions on taking the patient’s vital signs, including weight, blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation.
“I can see the vital signs displayed right there on the monitor,” continues Ellen. “Then it asks questions about my husband’s breathing and whether he’s feeling tired or any pain, or if his ankles are swollen. If there are any significant changes in his health, the nurses call us or I can always call them.”
Improve Chronic Disease Management
This new in-home solution is especially useful in monitoring specific aspects for a variety of diseases, including:
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
- Disease (COPD)
- High Blood Pressure
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Diabetes
Scott Allen
According to Scott Allen, director of Health First Home Care, “CHF and COPD account for the highest number of hospital admissions in Brevard County. Our goal with this in-home health telemonitoring program is to reduce that number of admissions by helping patients better manage their chronic diseases.”
It’s As Easy As 1, 2, 3
A patient using a telehealth monitor can easily and quickly collect and securely transmit data on four key vital signs: heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and weight. The device uses text and/or voice prompts to guide patients through a series of yes/no questions that allow the medical professionals monitoring them to receive a thorough health assessment.
The entire process takes less than three minutes. It can be performed as many as four times a day, seven days a week. The system helps clinicians identify and address problems early to help patients avoid trips to the hospital or emergency room.
“If vital signs are not within the patient’s normal range,” explains Allen, “we contact the patient to further assess the situation. Take, for instance, if one of our clinicians detects a change in a patient’s oxygen saturation. We then call the patient to ask what he may have been doing during testing—did he exercise right before? So we ask a series of questions to get the best possible picture of a person’s health and proceed accordingly.”
New Technology Puts Patients In Control
Daily monitoring not only provides a sense of security for users and family members, it produces better outcomes by putting the control in the patient’s hands. It also allows patients to take an active role in their health and provides them the right information to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Christine Bunch, RN
As one of four Performance Improvement Supervisors with Health First Home Care, Christine Bunch, RN, emphasizes the importance of education. “By educating our patients and reinforcing compliance with their treatment plans, we’re having a direct impact on improving their health and their outcomes.”
Health First Home Care’s program, which was initiated last February, has already benefited dozens of patients. Participating patients use one of 32 Honeywell HomMed Telehealth Monitors (pictured above). Considered an industry leader, Honeywell supports the program with its expertise and support. Honeywell also provided extensive training for clinicians before the program was implemented.
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