New telehealth service promotes health at home
A new telehealth service, which uses simple technology to help seniors monitor their own health from the comfort of home, has been launched in Sydney’s southeast.
Feros Care's telehealth nurse, Julie Ivanow, video conferencing client, Ray King, via My Health Clinic At Home video health monitoring technology.
The My Health Clinic At Home (MHCAH) telehealth service was developed by award winning not for profit aged care provider, Feros Care, and funded by the federal government.
MHCAH provides touch screen computers and measuring devices to 200 seniors, enabling them to test and record their own vital signs while maintaining regular contact with a health team via face to face consultations using a computer and a video camera.
Patients can discuss their results, transmitted to a registered telehealth nurse, using the video conference service or a telephone call.
The cutting edge service is under the umbrella of Home and Community Care (HACC), a federal government program funded through the Department of Social Services.
The overall objective of HACC is to provide services that support older people to stay at home and be more independent in the community.
The launch of Feros Care’s telehealth services in Sydney’s southeast, follows the provider’s success of Feros Care’s My Health Clinic At Home 18 month pilot program in Coffs Harbour.
The pilot project, funded by the federal government in 2013 under a scheme designed to demonstrate the capabilities of the nation's National Broadband Network (NBN), targeted seniors living at home with health conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unstable blood pressure, diabetes and/or chronic heart failure.
Glenn Payne, Feros Care chief information officer, said the pilot program resulted in many clients gaining a better understanding of their chronic condition and being better able to manage their symptoms.
“They're also much less anxious knowing they have a Telehealth registered nurse monitoring their condition/s and feel less isolated, with the ability to video call their family and friends at the press of a button,” he said.
Telehealth registered nurses involved in the pilot recorded a significant number of instances where their intervention prevented a trip to hospital.
Seniors who are over 65 or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders over 50, who have a chronic health condition such as unstable blood pressure, lung disease, diabetes or heart failure may be eligible for the service.
The system has been designed for people with no computer experience. The service costs $10 a week.
Jennene Buckley, Feros Care chief executive, said the launch of MHCAH in Sydney’s southeast was in line with the organisation’s commitment to “putting the senior in the driver’s seat” when it comes to their own health and the lifestyle they wish to lead.
“The best thing about My Health Clinic At Home is that individuals gain a better understanding, take more ownership and are more confident in managing their health conditions,” Ms Buckley said.
MHCAH also provides daily vital signs information and trends; valuable information that can be used by GPs, specialists and other health professionals for clinical decision making. The video conference capability can allow the health professional to see the patient in a timely manner, in situations where clients are not able to find transport to a surgery or medical practice.
The MHCAH service includes:
- MHCAH small touch screen computer
- Vital signs monitoring equipment
- Training on how to use the equipment and ongoing help
- Daily (weekday) remote monitoring by a telehealth registered nurse
- Self-management education and support from a telehealth registered nurse
- In-home video conferencing to the telehealth nurse and possibly a GP and other health professionals
For more information about MHCAH call Feros Care on 1300 851 771 or click here.
