Challenge
As the burden on our healthcare system continue to rise, due in part by increased life expectancy and the resulting increase in chronic diseases, providers are taxed to find cost-effective solutions that create a sustainable defence mechanism within the continuum of care.
With over 2 million people in North America alone managing chronic health conditions, the need for a sustainable method of patient management has become a primary concern for healthcare providers
and government alike. In fact, clear direction toward a solution was cast when the US Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 mandated that all 12 million chronically ill Medicare clients participate in a disease management program offered by health service providers by 2006. Solutions such as WWPM are primed and ready to address this mandate.
Solution
Redengine is proud to work with the WWPM team, comprised of the University of Alberta, Seiko Instruments Inc., MI Labs and Capital Health, in the production of this innovative health solution. It represents a combination of non-invasive sensors that collect an individual's physiological data (pulse and with additional sensors, Blood Glucose measures) and a 2-way communication system that allows data sharing through a central software application.
WWPM offers 3 components: Central Server System (CSS) hardware and software solution; Wireless Station (WS); and a Wearable Pulse Sensor (WPS). The CSS is the application that allows a care plan to be created based on readings of the WS and/or WPS. The CSS also facilitates storage, interrogation and visualization of the physiological data. The care plan is created via a web interface to CSS and the collected data is made available to an authorized care giver via a web browser through a secure and private network, designed to conform to HIPPA standard. Data is analyzed based on defined patient triage thresholds and alerts are prompted within the traditional continuum of care when necessary intervention becomes apparent. Representing a combination of data, professional care and communication, it produces medical and behavioural outcomes that enable better health management outside of institutions.
Results
WWPM selected Telehomecare as its inaugural market because home care is the point where most elderly or chronically ill individuals are assessed for, or enter into, the health system. These individuals are at the highest risk of being institutionalized in either acute care hospitals or long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.
Deploying WWPM in this setting enables providers to increase their capacity to serve more patients in need. Through its 2-way communication features, individuals receive instructions (i.e. take your medication now) and can readily tap in to a call centre when they are not feeling well or require medical attention.
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