NHS Barnsley Invest In Innovative Telehealth Technology To Monitor Patients With Long Term Conditions, England

Main Category: IT / Internet / E-mail
Also Included In: Public Health;  Cardiovascular / Cardiology;  Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 30 Oct 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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NHS Barnsley, the local leader of the NHS, is in the process of implementing the roll out of a new innovative Telehealth technology which will support the delivery of care to patients diagnosed with a long term condition in their own homes.

NHS Barnsley has commissioned a company called Docobo to implement a product entitled Doc@Home which enables patients that suffer from a long term condition, such as the respiratory disease Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or Chronic Heart Failure, to have their condition remotely monitored by health professionals.

Patients diagnosed with a long term condition that are deemed suitable for the technology will be issued with a health hub which consists of a small hand held data collection unit that enables the patient on a daily basis to enter data regarding their condition, such as current symptoms, side effects and their general quality of life during that day. This data is transferred via the patient's telephone line to a secure website from where it can be accessed by authorised healthcare professionals. The system enables the clinician to monitor changes in the patient's condition, identify any trends that occur and spot at an earlier stage any exacerbation of the chronic condition. An authorised clinician can access the patient record on demand and send messages directly to the patient via the health hub, for example, a request to visit their GP surgery or to change the frequency and / or volume of medication.

The perceived benefits for patients when using the system include an increased ability to manage their own condition through having a greater awareness of their particular condition which assists in the reduction of patient anxiety whilst improving the patient's quality of life, living with a long term condition.

Mike Breeze from Docobo stated:

"The implementation of Telehealth in the Barnsley district is a great opportunity to offer new innovative ways to deliver quality of care to patients in their own homes enhancing quality of life. Patients currently on the Telehealth system may have exacerbations predicted before they occur, reducing the impact on their longer term health and quality of life. This is an exiting time to be part of the Barnsley Telehealth project, who are front runners in delivering this new service. Patients and staff alike are already beginning to see a positive impact after the first few Telehealth installations".

The introduction of the system has received positive feedback from NHS Barnsley's Community Matron Team who monitor clients with long term conditions. A spokesperson for the team commented:

"The introduction of the system has enabled the team to be alerted to patients concerns regarding their condition earlier, which enables us to reprioritise our visits, allowing earlier intervention to prevent the condition from worsening."

The Implementation of the system has received backing from local solicitor and the Barnsley Breathe Easy Group Treasurer, John Welch, who stated:

"Regular analysis of the Doc@Home data enables PCT clinicians to be more aware of changes in patients' conditions, which should result in more effective management of long term conditions and less suffering for patients. The system will also be beneficial to the patient as it will help them understand their condition, recognise when changes, such as infections, are beginning to develop so that they can themselves respond quickly and appropriately. The knowledge that they can do a lot to manage their own condition should improve confidence and help to reduce anxiety regarding their particular condition."

During the initial implementation process, NHS Barnsley is issuing the devices to patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Heart Failure and various clients receiving Palliative Care. An extensive research trial is planned to examine the benefits in more detail with a view to further expanding the implementation of the system across other clinical areas.

NHS Barnsley