OBJECTIVE: To determine if self-monitoring via home-based telehealth equipment could, when combined with ongoing remote monitoring by a nurse, reduce the incidence of hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) presentations for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was used to compare the outcomes for participants receiving the telehealth equipment and monitoring with those for participants in an information-only control group, over a period of 6 months. Participants receiving the telehealth intervention were taught to measure and record their vital signs (blood pressure, weight, temperature, pulse, and oxygen saturation levels) on a daily basis. These were then transmitted automatically via telephone to a secure Web site where they were monitored each day by the telehealth nurse. RESULTS: The telehealth group had fewer ED presentations and hospital admissions and a reduced length of stay in comparison with the control group. These results were not statistically significant. However, the reduction in health service use was large enough to result in significant cost savings, with the annual cost savings of the telehealth group compared with the control group being $2,931 per person. CONCLUSIONS: Telehealth monitoring of patient vital signs reduced health service utilization for individuals with COPD and resulted in significant cost savings. In terms of individual health benefits, improvements in participants' self-management behaviors and control over their condition was evident.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine if self-monitoring via home-based telehealth equipment could, when combined with ongoing remote monitoring by a nurse, reduce the incidence of hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) presentations for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was used to compare the outcomes for participants receiving the telehealth equipment and monitoring with those for participants in an information-only control group, over a period of 6 months. Participants receiving the telehealth intervention were taught to measure and record their vital signs (blood pressure, weight, temperature, pulse, and oxygen saturation levels) on a daily basis. These were then transmitted automatically via telephone to a secure Web site where they were monitored each day by the telehealth nurse. RESULTS: The telehealth group had fewer ED presentations and hospital admissions and a reduced length of stay in comparison with the control group. These results were not statistically significant. However, the reduction in health service use was large enough to result in significant cost savings, with the annual cost savings of the telehealth group compared with the control group being $2,931 per person. CONCLUSIONS: Telehealth monitoring of patient vital signs reduced health service utilization for individuals with COPD and resulted in significant cost savings. In terms of individual health benefits, improvements in participants' self-management behaviors and control over their condition was evident.
Authors: Anke Lenferink; Marjolein Brusse-Keizer; Paul Dlpm van der Valk; Peter A Frith; Marlies Zwerink; Evelyn M Monninkhof; Job van der Palen; Tanja W Effing Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2017-08-04
Authors: Daniel Sanchez-Morillo; Miguel Angel Fernandez-Granero; Antonio León Jiménez Journal: Med Biol Eng Comput Date: 2015-03-01 Impact factor: 2.602
Authors: Jade Schrijver; Anke Lenferink; Marjolein Brusse-Keizer; Marlies Zwerink; Paul Dlpm van der Valk; Job van der Palen; Tanja W Effing Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2022-01-10
Authors: Charles Sharp; Vahid Soleimani; Sion Hannuna; Massimo Camplani; Dima Damen; Jason Viner; Majid Mirmehdi; James W Dodd Journal: Front Physiol Date: 2017-02-07 Impact factor: 4.566
Authors: Thorbjørn L Gregersen; Allan Green; Ejvind Frausing; Thomas Ringbæk; Eva Brøndum; Charlotte Suppli Ulrik Journal: Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis Date: 2016-04-21