NHS Central Lancashire’s community matrons have introduced an innovative remote patient care management tool to help chronically ill patients in Preston monitor and manage their health at home and remain independent for longer.
The technology is currently being piloted with 40 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a serious and incapacitating condition which affects over 3.7 million people in the UK and typically causes acute shortness of breath and susceptibility to lung infections. If successful, NHS Central Lancashire aims to expand the programme to help patients with other chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and heart failure across central Lancashire.
The Intel® Health Guide was designed and developed by Intel to address the challenges of chronic conditions for patients, their families and the healthcare professionals responsible for their care. The device, currently available in the US and UK through GE Healthcare, allows patients to measure their vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse and weight, and respond to questions about their diseases on a daily basis, with all data reviewed by the community matron team. The technology, which also includes a videoconferencing capability enabling patients to talk with community matrons, allows the care team to assess the patient for signs that their condition is worsening. The hope is that early recognition and treatment of a change in symptoms will reduce the need for admissions to hospital. The technology also helps patients to manage their own condition, look out for particular symptoms and take medication at the right time.
Anne Walton, NHS Central Lancashire’s community matron locality lead, said: "I am very excited to be leading on this project. My team and I have been working very hard to get this pilot up and running and we are getting lots of positive feedback from patients.
"This new technology allows patients to take a more active role in their own care and to learn more about their own condition. This will hopefully teach them how to spot signs of symptoms so they can act sooner to avoid being admitted to hospital.
"If this pilot is deemed a success it will potentially open up a new way of working for community matrons and other services, helping to improve the existing quality service we provide to our patients."
Jackie Vella, Preston Breatheasy Group’s chair, said: “I personally think this new technology is fantastic and is a real step forward. I think it will be well received by patients. I know if I was offered it I would jump at the opportunity to be involved in this pioneering pilot.”
The pilot – which started in June 2010 – will run for 12 months across Preston and will be evaluated at regular intervals to assess how the technology is helping improve patients’ quality of life, their general satisfaction with the equipment and the opinion of carers.
Joe Rafferty, NHS Central Lancashire’s chief executive, said: “This pilot fits with our pledge to ensure that the people of central Lancashire are treated using the most appropriate technology. We know that people would much rather receive care and treatment at home rather than have to make frequent trips to hospital. It is a win/win situation for our chronically ill patients and community matrons.”
Richard Rees-Davies, GE Healthcare’s Home Health UK general manager, said: “The increasing cost and burden of chronic disease is a huge problem in the UK and one which is only likely to intensify. This is where new health technologies like the Intel® Health Guide can make a real difference by extending care from the hospital to the home. In particular it will help to improve access, increase quality and reduce the cost of healthcare bringing benefits to patients, health practitioners and the health service.
“The trial with NHS Central Lancashire is an extension of our alliance with Intel to drive new models of care including more personalised care at home. Our experience with the Intel® Health Guide in the US shows that it can have a positive impact on many types of chronic disease. At NHS Central Lancashire we have also seen the benefits of collaboration working with the health trust to ensure the effective roll-out of the technology.”
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Dennis and Stella Winder
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Dennis and Stella Winder having a teleconference with community matron John Seddon
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Dennis Winder using the Intel Homecare device
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Community matron John Seddon on screen during a teleconference
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Community matron John Seddon having a teleconference with Dennis and Stella Winder
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Community matron John Seddon having a teleconference with Dennis and Stella Winder
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Note to editors
- COPD is currently the 5th largest killer in the UK and is the 3rd biggest cause of respiratory death in the UK. Sufferers who are typically over 45 experience regular bouts of infection and severe breathlessness, which makes it increasingly difficult for them to lead a normal and active life as the disease progresses.
- The U.K. Department of Health estimates that in Great Britain up to 17.5 million adults and up to three-quarters of those over the age of 75 could be living with a chronic disease. By 2030, the department also estimates that the incidence of chronic disease in those over the age of 65 will more than double,1 creating an enormous and increasing burden for society.
- The Intel Health Guide, a regulated device that carries the CE mark under the EU Medical Device directive, combines an in-home patient device, the Intel Health Guide, with the Intel Health Care Management Suite, an online interface that allows clinicians to securely monitor patients in their homes and manage care remotely.
About Central Lancashire PCT
NHS Central Lancashire is the primary care trust for Preston, Chorley and South Ribble and West Lancashire. It receives a budget from the Department of Health to plan and pay for local NHS services. This includes paying GPs and dentists, commissioning hospital and mental health services and managing public health campaigns. It does not manage local NHS hospitals, which are independent trusts, but does pay for many of the services they offer.
Please contact the Customer Care Team for information and advice about services arranged and provided by NHS Central Lancashire. Freephone 0800 032 24 24 or e-mail us at customer-care@centrallancashire.nhs.uk
About GE Healthcare:
GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care. Our broad expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, performance improvement and performance solutions services help our customers to deliver better care to more people around the world at a lower cost. In addition, we partner with healthcare leaders, striving to leverage the global policy change necessary to implement a successful shift to sustainable healthcare systems.
Our “healthymagination” vision for the future invites the world to join us on our journey as we continuously develop innovations focused on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality and efficiency around the world. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a www.gehealthcare.com
GE Healthcare has been marketing the Intel Health Guide in the UK since January 2010. The company’s home health business provides technologies to help the elderly live independently and patients with chronic diseases manage their conditions from their home. Technologies include GE QuietCare®, a remote passive activity and behavioural monitoring system for the elderly.
For latest news about GE Healthcare, please visit http://newsroom.gehealthcare.com
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