The California-based Center for Technology and Aging now has the final version of their study, 'Technologies for Remote Patient Monitoring in Older Adults'. The report covers how remote patient monitoring (RPM) can reduce the cost of patient care, aid in fall prevention (via algorithmically-based detection systems) and highlights the VA Telehealth program.  

Click here for the report

"Remote patient monitoring (RPM) technologies have been shown to be effective in helping to manage chronic disease, post-acute care and monitoring the safety of older adults," said David Lindeman, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Technology and Aging. "These technologies can help slow the progression of chronic disease, speed recovery after discharge from an acute care setting and help vulnerable adults avoid injuries."

The detailed report is a primer on RPM and underscores the importance of more rapid adoption of this technology as a cornerstone for tackling the high cost of chronic disease care, which accounts for three-quarters of America's direct health expenditures. The report includes a description of the:

• Five-step RPM process (Collect, Transmit, Evaluate, Notify, Intervene).
• Opportunities to apply RPM to chronic care, post-acute care, and patient safety.
• Veterans Health Administration experience and positive results from its RPM use.
• Features of seven integrated RPM devices currently on the market: Health Buddy (Bosch), Telestation (Philips), Genesis DM (Honeywell), Health Guide PHS6000 (Intel), LifeView (American Telecare), Ideal LIFE Pod (Ideal Life), Healthanywhere (Healthanywhere, Inc.). 
• Features of four Continuous Cardiac RPM technologies: Biotronik Home Monitoring, Medtronic CareLink, Boston Scientific Latitude, and St. Jude Merlin.net.
• Technology characteristics of RPM devices for fall detection, fall prevention and location tracking, including medical alerts for family or caregivers.
• Characteristics of location tracking device products currently available, including: EmFinders' EmSeeQ; Alzheimer's Association Comfort Zone, powered by Omnilink; LoJack SafetyNet; GPS Tracking and Navigation FlexTrack; and Google's Latitude.

Finally, the report includes highlights of positive outcomes from the Veterans Health Administration's Care Coordination/Home Telehealth program, which serves as a dramatic example of how an enterprise-wide implementation of RPM has proven to be a cost-effective approach to managing chronic care patients.

The Center for Technology and Aging (www.techandaging.org) supports more rapid adoption and diffusion of technologies that enhance independence and improve home and community-based care for older adults. Through grants, research, public policy involvement and development of practical tools and best practice guidelines, the Center serves as an independent, non-profit resource for improving the quality and cost-effectiveness of long-term care services. The Center was established with funding from The SCAN Foundation (www.thescanfoundation.org) and is affiliated with the Public Health Institute (www.phi.org) in Oakland, CA.

For more information: www.techandaging.org.