| American TeleCare, Inc.
Provides Progress Report on
First Care Medical Services' Two-Year Telehealthcare Plan
EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, Oct. 10, 2003 — American
TeleCare, Inc. (ATI) today announced outcomes from First Care
Medical Services' telehealthcare
implementation plan.
Home care and hospice providers continue to face serious healthcare
issues. Rural Minnesota is no exception. Issues such as rising
costs, lowered reimbursement rates, limited access to services,
an aging
population, and forecasted healthcare worker shortages are affecting
everyone. First Care Medical Services purchased ATI's telemedicine
technology one year ago to address these issues while increasing
the quality of care to patients and supporting the elderly population's
preference to live independently with healthcare provided in
the comfort of their own home. Now patients using the Telehealthcare system get the benefit
of face-to-face voice and picture link so they can talk to and
hear their healthcare
provider. The equipment easily measures, stores, and transmits
patient blood pressure, protime (blood clotting time), pulse oximetry,
pulse,
blood glucose, weight, and stethoscope readings to enable the healthcare
professional to provide care.
According to spokesperson, Lori Sundbom, "First Care is delighted
to report significant positive outcomes as we approach the end of
year one of the two-year implementation plan. ATI's telehealth
units have been placed in 26 homes. Our nurses have made 230 visits
and physicians have made 13 visits," she said. Routine visits
have resulted in successful monitoring necessary to maintain the
health status of patients and several hospital stays were avoided
as a direct result of the telehealth monitoring. First Care has documented
decreased costs of providing care as well as increased quality of
care and customer/patient satisfaction.
"ATI technicians and consultants have impacted the success
of First Care's project. ATI has been a valuable resource
from the beginning, providing guidance and continued support throughout
the project," Sundbom
said.
American TeleCare pioneered the concept of home telehealth in
1993. The company markets FDA approved telehealth monitoring
systems
that incorporate live audio/video with integrated electronic
medical peripherals.
Clinicians use American TeleCare systems to conduct remote clinical
examinations of patients. American TeleCare has installed the
majority of home telehealth programs throughout the world and
is the recognized
industry leader. For more information, visit www.americantelecare.com.
American TeleCare. |
