Definition
Telehealth is the consistent and accurate remote monitoring and management of a patient’s health condition including vital signs monitoring, health settings and advisory information. This supports the effective management of long term conditions enabling reductions in hospital admissions, early discharge and improved self care
How does telehealth work?
Telehealth in the home
The Tunstall mymedic or mymedic plus telehealth monitor along with various health peripherals are installed in a patient’s home. At an agreed time the monitor will signal that it is time for the patient to take their vital signs and answer symptomatic health questions. The monitor then guides the patient, using its clear text display and audio announcements in the selected language, through a series of measurements and health related questions.
A range of peripheral devices are used to collect the patient’s vital sign measurements. According to their condition the patient’s health session will use a selection of the medical devices described below:
Blood pressure cuff, Pulse oximeter, Thermometer, Weighing scale, Glucometer, Peak flow meter, Coagulation meter, Spirometer
Telehealth in a grouped setting
Myclinic is a multi user solution which enables a group of patients within a common location (extra care facility or residential home for example) to participate in a telehealth program. Patients have individualised monitoring plans, but share the use of a terminal and medical device peripherals.
Myclinic provides a cost effective way of delivering telehealth services to a wider group of potential patients, enabling early intervention and preventative care.
Each patient has a card with barcode, and placing this under the inbuilt barcode reader on the integrated PC/monitor gives access to their individual health interview. The patient or clinician can then take the patient’s vital signs using the peripherals relevant to them and answer a series of tailored health questions using the touch screen monitor. This information is then transmitted to the icp triage manager software in the same way as from individual mymedic units.
This proactive approach helps to reduce the need for visits to and by clinical staff, reducing the demand on the health care system and supporting people in a community setting. Telehealth can help to improve the quality of care by anticipating possible exacerbations before they occur, reducing non-elective admissions to hospital and addressing those patients who, without intervention, may become future high intensity users
Why is telehealth needed?
Telehealth enables individuals to manage their own long-term condition effectively at home and can result in early diagnosis of unforeseeable health related problems as well as empowering patients to take a more active role in their care.
The available evidence from Tunstall’s telehealth projects demonstrates:
- More effective management of long term conditions
- Increased medication compliance
- Improved self management
- Reductions in unplanned hospital admissions
- Efficiency gains from reduced nurse and GP visits and more organised workload
- Increased capacity for case managers
- Reduction in demand on unscheduled care
- Savings across the health economy
Why Tunstall Telehealth Solutions?
Tunstall’s years of experience as the market leading telehealth provider means we can provide the support and resources to ensure telehealth is embedded into your service delivery pathways in the most effective way to maximise the benefits to patients and clinicians.
Tunstall also has experience of integrated social and health partnerships, where joint funding and partnership working have delivered joined up telecare and telehealth projects.
Mainstreaming at scale is a complex process that requires innovative pathway redesign specific to your locality. Tunstall has the knowledge and expertise required to effect change management with you in order to deliver a successful telehealth service. This can bring maximum benefits to you and your community in the shortest possible time frame.
Who is telehealth suitable for?
The range of conditions that telehealth can help to support is continuously growing. They include:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic Heart Disease
Heart Failure
Diabetes (as a co-morbidity)
Please see our literature library for further information and case studies on the benefits of using telehealth to support people with long term conditions.
If you would like to talk to Tunstall about telehealth then please call customer support 0844 855 1564.
Alternatively email enquiries@tunstall.co.uk