TELE-HEALTH

Advances in medicine have dramatically increased human lifespan and have also allowed people to live longer, despite having serious medical conditions. Additionally, studies have shown that entrusting patients with responsibility for their health while allowing them to remain in their own homes improves health outcomes.

Tele-health is a disease management tool that acts like an "electronic nurse." A small, video telephone unit, placed in patients' homes, can assess vital information such as blood pressure and blood glucose level, provide health education and medication reminders, remind patients of clinical appointments, allow real-time video conferencing from home between the patient and his/her health provider, and connect them to a nurse or other medical professional. Recognizing that every client's health needs are unique, the tele-health unit can be customized to match the needs of every patient.

In 2001, HHC's Health and Home Care division launched a successful pilot tele-health program for patients with HIV/AIDS. The study proved tele-health's effectiveness in better utilizing limited nursing resources and also controlling health care costs. HHC now seeks to expand tele-health to a broader segment of its homecare population to address the long term, preventive needs of patients confronting the challenges of chronic diseases such as Diabetes, Congestive Heart Failure and Asthma.