Technology that connects seniors with chronic diseases to a nurse who monitors and assesses vital signs from a remote location could lighten demand for emergency room visits and prevent hospital visits on already over-burdened hospitals in Canada, according to findings from a survey conducted by Biosign Technologies, a health monitoring technology company, and We Care Health Services LP, a national Canadian homecare company.
Highlights of the 2010 Remote Access to Care Technology (Re-ACT) report include the following:
- 96 percent of clients could be cared for in their homes
- 92 percent of clients were better informed about how to manage their chronic health conditions
- 92 percent of clients knew what signs and symptoms to look for and when to make an appointment with their doctor
- 68 percent of clients believed that their home is safer now that they are in the remote care program
- 80 percent of clients said they feel they will be able to stay in their homes longer than before they signed on for telemonitoring
In the Re-ACT program, a nurse not only monitors vital signs remotely and encourages medication compliance, but also assesses blood pressure, pulse, blood glucose, weight and blood oxygen levels, tells patients how to manage their chronic conditions and makes adjustments to the care plan.
To learn more:
- read the press release from Biosign and We Care Health Services
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