A new program from Eastern Health involves patients using an iPad, blood pressure cuff, weigh scale and a device to measure oxygen level in COPD and heart failure patients.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest health authority is hoping technology can help patients with heart and respiratory problems get medical assistance without ever having to leave their homes.
Eastern Health is offering a new program called Remote Patient Monitoring, which involves patients using an iPad, blood pressure cuff, weigh scale and a device to measure oxygen levels — which then records the information and transmits it to a group of registered nurses.
“It’s in real-time, so the vital signs and some symptom question answers are transmitted into the registered nurses,” said program manager Kim Ghaney.
“If they fall outside any pre-established thresholds that were set for the patient, they contact the patient to delve a little further into what the issue may be so that they can provide advice, support and intervention, if needed.”
Ghaney said Eastern Health is going ahead with the program as a way to combat challenges associated with an aging population and a high rate of chronic disease. As well, she said it will free up resources at health facilities and help patients self-manage and catch symptoms early on.
