Using "Smart Scales" For Congestive Heart Failure Monitoring Could Save NHS Over £60M A Year And Help Save Thousands Of Lives, UK

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 01 May 2008 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Home monitoring of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) using 'smart bathroom scales' can save the NHS over £60M each year and save thousands of lives according to award-winning telemedicine specialist Broomwell Healthwatch.

Broomwell has developed a telemedical solution for CHF monitoring, which includes weight control scales and a blood pressure monitor. These both detect early symptoms associated with CHF, such as weight gain through fluid build-up and increased blood pressure*, allowing physicians to monitor patients' progress, diagnose problems quickly and administer timely preventative care to help save lives.

Broomwell's studies show that CHF related hospital admissions account for 62,582 episodes per year, costing the NHS around £211M annually. By saving the NHS over £60M a year, Broomwell's CHF monitoring solutions could free up 29% of the overall cost spent on CHF by the NHS per annum.

Broomwell's weight control scales and blood pressure monitor allow patients to have their weight and blood pressure carefully monitored from the comfort and convenience of their own home, meaning patients avoid unnecessary trips to hospital; this not only reduces stress for the patient but reduces the operational and financial burden on the NHS.

The scales measure the patient's weight and transmits the data automatically to Broomwell's monitoring centre via a home gateway unit. Blood pressure readings are transmitted in a similar way. Cardiac clinicians at the centre monitor the data for any potentially dangerous trends or deviations from the set parameters meaning prompt action can be taken if needed.

On receipt of the data clinicians at the monitoring centre are automatically presented with the patient's clinical records and medical history, If any abnormalities are identified the results are transmitted to district nurses and / or the patient's physician for early intervention, or in more critical cases the patient is sent for emergency treatment.

Joshua Rowe, managing director for Broomwell Healthwatch, said: "This service is great for both CHF patients and the NHS. Patients benefit from the convenience and comforts of Home Monitoring and of having access to instant diagnostic expertise, with regular monitoring via the scales and blood pressure monitor, our expert clinicians can keep an eye out for any potentially dangerous trends, ensuring early intervention to reduce the risk of any long-term damage to the heart.

"The challenge begins with those patients who show subtle signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure; this is where Broomwell's expert telemedicine service is of most benefit, it has proven to be an invaluable clinical aid.

"A £60M a year saving means the NHS could re-allocate funds to other key areas and monitoring CHF at home would lessen the operational burden on GPs and hospitals, freeing-up resources. The service has the potential to make a huge difference to the NHS whilst saving the lives of thousands of patients."

The technology has already been rolled out across a major city PCT to help monitor and diagnose CHF and has had positive results. Typically CHF patients are expected to keep a diary of their weight and visit their GP on a regular basis for an evaluation, but this method relies heavily on the patient remembering to keep an up-to-date and coherent record of information.

Broomwell's solution relieves patients of this responsibility whilst giving monitoring clinicians a more reliable and accurate result. It also transfers the responsibility of detecting any significant changes from the GP to a cardiac clinician trained specifically in this area of medicine.

* NHS Direct

About BroomWell Healthwatch

The company was established in 2004 to provide telemedical monitoring services to GPs, Walk-in Centres, Community Hospitals and private individuals. Broomwell's solutions include the wristwatch-like MiniClinic, which is linked to the company's monitoring centre by a home base station, 12-lead portable ECGs, and weight control solutions for congestive heart failure. These are supported by Broomwell's 24-hour cardiac monitoring centre, which is staffed by experienced cardiology-trained clinicians giving immediate, expert interpretation of ECGs.

BroomWell Healthwatch