Boston-based Partners HealthCare has unveiled a new initiative that enables patients to generate and collect data on themselves at home and upload it into Partners' electronic health record system.
The initiative, coordinated through Partners' Center for Connected Health Division, relies on patients to collect data--such as weight, blood glucose and blood pressure--which then is electronically transmitted and viewable in the EHR alongside other patient information. Patients also can monitor their own health data. The program will be used mainly for chronic disease management.
"The care team now has a more comprehensive view of a patient's condition, seeing that individual's day-to-day vital signs, real-time response to medications and other important indicators of his or her health available through our remote monitoring programs," Joseph Kvedar (pictured), founder and director of the Center for Connected Health and a FierceHealthIT Editorial Advisory Board member, said in an announcement.
Remote monitoring has been shown to reduce hospital readmissions and improve patient outcomes. Other pilot programs are using health IT to remotely monitor patients with chronic diseases.
Studies also have shown that patients appreciate access to the data in their EHRs. Such access can boost loyalty and improve patient safety. A major focus of Stages 2 and 3 of the Meaningful Use Program is patient engagement and giving patients access to their electronic records.
To learn more:
- read the announcement (.pdf)