Grants for telemedicine schemes

Funding to be put into telemedicine

The state of Wisconsin's Universal Service Fund (USF) Telemedicine program is awarding grants totaling $1 million to several nonprofit health organisations in a bid to promote advanced medical services in the region.

It is hoped that money from the grants will enable the clinics, hospitals and health agencies to purchase telecom equipment to aid with medical services and enhance access to medical care in underserved areas.

There has been an increase in such technology, with 37 organizations requesting approximately $3.8 million from the fund for the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years. However only 27 were selected as grant recipients.

They include St. Joseph's Home Health and Hospice in Chippewa Falls, which will receive $34,200 to expand its pilot Tele-Monitoring project by purchasing 10 home healthcare systems to monitor chronically ill patients within Chippewa, Eau Claire and surrounding counties.

Remotely monitor patients

Speaking about the system to Healthcare IT News, Debbie Lauer, RN, Director of Home Health and Hospice Services at St. Joseph's Hospital said, "This equipment requires only a telephone line and enables nurses to remotely monitor patients at home who suffer from chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

"Our Tele-Monitoring System allows nursing staff to daily monitor blood pressure, pulse, weight, and oxygen levels - information that can be critically important to patient stability and well-being."

Joan Coaffman, President and CEO of St. Joseph's Hospital stated that early interventions are vital to improve symptom management and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

"Remote monitoring also improves health behaviors and compliance with medications and treatments," said Coffman. "Tele-Monitoring is a key part of our care integration strategy to provide high-quality, cost-effective and better integrated care. This technology saves lives, provides more efficient care and helps reduce healthcare costs."

With this technology, she says, "staff members can provide immediate intervention to stabilize a patient's health condition and prevent hospitalizations."

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