Telehealth

TeleHealth, or the use of information and communication technology to deliver health services over distance, is currently revolutionising patient care around the world.  The Silver Chain TeleHealth service is the remote monitoring of a chronic disease within the home and is designed to improve the quality of life for clients as well as their carers.  Chronic diseases may include Diabetes, Chronic Heart Failure, Hypertension (high blood pressure), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD ), or other respiratory diseases such as Asthma. 

Clients are educated on how to use the device and accompanying peripherals to record their vital signs, which can include: blood pressure, weight, pulse, temperature and oxygen saturation levels.  The device also contains quality of life assessment tools, all of which can be tailored to the individual.  The results download to a secure website, which can be monitored from either the home or office.  If any measurements fall outside predetermined parameters, an alert is sent and an intervention can be registered. 

Evidence based research demonstrates that TeleHealth:

• Can monitor a patient's condition in the comfort of their own home;
• Improves patient's independence by actively involving them in their care;
• Increases patient's sense of medical security;
• Allows for early medical intervention if required; and
• Reduces stress on medical resources through reduced hospital admissions and fewer emergency department visits.

 For more information or to receive the exciting trial results from Silver Chain's 2010 COPD trial, please contact Liz Boyd, Support Manager, on 0406 315 683 or email eboyd@silverchain.org.au.

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