| American TeleCare, Inc.
Announces 95% Decrease in CHF Hospital Readmissions at Sentara Home
Health
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (August 13, 2002)
– American TeleCare, Inc. (ATI) announced today that one of
its customers, Sentara Home Care Services(SHCS), reduced hospital
admissions by 95% on congestive heart failure (CHF) patients monitored
with its home telehealth system. Sentara Home Care Services, part
of the Sentara Health System, an integrated health care system that
includes a health plan, was the top-rated system nationally in 2001.
ATI’s home telehealth system features
live audio and video combined with a telephonic stethoscope and
other medical peripherals (blood pressure meter, scale, pulse oximeter)
to allow nurses to conduct a “video visit” to homebound
patients. The nurse and patient can see and talk to each other while
the nurse gathers objective and subjective information, allowing
a timely clinical assessment of patient status. If a problem is
identified, the nurse can intervene rapidly, preventing a worsening
of the condition.
Over a twelve month period, SHCS monitored
twelve patients with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure (New
York Heart Association class III or IV, the most ill of CHF patients)
by conducting a combination of in-home visits and telehealth consultations
using ATI technology. Patients were on service from between three
to six months. During that time, sixteen (16) hospitalizations were
avoided, representing a 95% decrease compared to the 6 months prior
to patient enrollment in the program. Additionally, emergency room
visits decreased by 90%. Even more impressive is that patient quality
of life scores improved by 51%.
“CHF is one of the most challenging
conditions to control, which has significant consequences to patients,
providers, and our healthcare system in terms of resource utilization,”
comments Rhonda Chetney, RN, MS, Director of Clinical Operations
at SHCS, “Since these patients are in and out of the hospital
so frequently, we needed to find a way to bridge the gap between
the hospital and home in order to prevent the next readmission.
Thanks to ATI’s telehealth system, we can not only conduct
a complete assessment of our patients, but we also have ample opportunity
to reinforce education and gauge compliance. Our patients tell us
that seeing us provides them with a feeling of security. We are
thrilled with our outcomes and will be expanding our program.”“Sentara’s
outcomes reflect a growing body of evidence validating telehealth’s
impact on patients with chronic disease nationwide. Our healthcare
system must continue to develop and implement technology-enabled
models of care such as this if we are to impact quality of life
and healthcare costs among the chronically ill, particularly as
demographics shift toward a significant geriatric population combined
with a growing national nursing shortage,” says Randall S.
Moore, MD, chief executive officer for American TeleCare, Inc.
Of her decision to utilize American TeleCare’s
video based AVIVA® home telehealth system Chetney comments,
“We wanted a system that would allow us to conduct a complete
assessment of our patients, given how sick they are. The video is
critical for compliance, gathering of subjective information, as
well as developing a relationship with the patient, and the CareTone®
stethoscope allows us to hear early signs of worsening heart failure.
The scale identifies weight gain, another important symptom with
CHF patients. We truly feel that we have the best system for our
patients’ needs.”
A pioneer in the concept of home telehealth,
American TeleCare, Inc. guides its business partners in the development
of home telehealth programs. The company currently markets the AVIVA®
System; an FDA-cleared telemedicine monitoring system that incorporates
live audio/video with integrated electronic medical peripherals
to allow a doctor or nurse to conduct remote assessments of patients
in their homes. The products are simple to use, and operate through
a standard telephone line. For more information, please visit www.americantelecare.com.
Sentara Home Care Services offers an innovative
and progressive range of services to patients and families who choose
to receive medical/nursing care in the safe, nurturing confines
of home. A JCAHO accredited agency recently ranked in the top five
Home Health Agencies in America, SHCS covers greater Hampton Roads
and the Peninsula in Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina. For
more information visit www.sentara.com/homecare.
Contact Information:
Bonnie Britton, RN, MSN
American TeleCare, Inc.
252-752-0502
bonnieb@americantelecare.com
Rhonda Chetney, RN, MS
Sentara Home Care Services
757-382-4980
rrchetne@sentara.com
|
