Telehealth saves lives

Source:  Aged Care Insite  July/Aug 2012

The use of telehealth technologies can deliver a 45 per cent reduction in mortality rates among people suffering from diabetes, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to initial findings of British research.

The landmark study also found the telehealth and telecare technologies resulted in a 15 per cent reduction in accident and emergency (A&E) visits, a 20 per cent drop in emergency admissions, and a 14 per cent reduction in bed days among the participants.

The Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) program, set up by the UK Department of Health, is studying the impact of the technologies on 6000 users across Kent, Newham and Cornwall. Project manager Dave Tyas of Peninsula Community Health (UK), said the study’s findings were positively impacting on health professionals’ perceptions of telehealth and telecare. “A couple of years ago there were a lot of sceptics, and there are still some out there now, but with results like these coming out we’re seeing that change. A lot of people are starting to come round,” Tyas said. more