Key result
A digital pen-based telemonitoring system used by 14 elderly patients with severe heart failure over 13 months enabled early detection of deteriorations and prevented all hospital readmissions.
Why the study?
Does a digital pen-based telemonitoring system prevent hospital re-admissions in elderly patients with severe heart failure?
Observational (n=14)
Does a digital pen-based telemonitoring system prevent hospital re-admissions in elderly patients with severe heart failure?
A digital pen-based telemonitoring system was well-accepted by elderly patients with severe heart failure and successfully prevented hospital readmissions over 13 months.
Hypothesis-generating for telemonitoring in severe HF; should not change practice pending randomized trials.
Considering that a majority of elderlies are non-users of computers and Internet we developed a telemonitoring system for elderly heart failure (HF) home care patients based on digital pen technology - a technology never used before by this patient group. We implemented the system in clinical use in a 13 months long study. Fourteen patients (mean/median age 84 years) with severe HF participated. They accepted the technology and performed daily reports of their health state using the digital pen and a Health Diary form. Via the system the clinicians detected all HF-related deteriorations at an early stage and thereby prevented hospital re-admissions for all patients during the study, implying improved symptom control and large cost savings.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Lind et al. (2013) conducted an observational in Severe heart failure (n=14). Digital pen-based telemonitoring system was evaluated on Hospital re-admissions. A digital pen-based telemonitoring system used by 14 elderly patients with severe heart failure over 13 months enabled early detection of deteriorations and prevented all hospital readmissions.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: