As a result, patients will receive telecare at home through tele-diagnosis. In Schleswig-Holstein, the mortality rate due to heart failure has been 36 % above the national average. Now, with the 'My Heart' project, a unique network of specialists should significantly improve the care of those affected; the medical experts of the clinic as well as their partners are available to provide support and advice to the participants.
"The everyday home health monitoring is the core of this new initiative, which therefore may reduce the unnecessary doctor visits and the waiting hours. In addition, the patients learn more about their disease and, according to our experience, they also show an improved willingness to take the necessary medication", explained Prof. Dr. Gert Richard, Head Physician for Cardiology.
Patients will receive a sphygmomanometer, an electronic weighing scale and a 12-Canal electrocardiogram (ECG) for free. The measured vital parameters will be transferred via the patient's phone directly to the telemedicine centre of the clinics. "If the evaluation shows that the heart disease gets worse, we can act immediately. If the patient hears nothing from us, then everything is fine. This sense of security means a lot to the patients and helps them to remain healthy." Prof. Dr. Richardt said.
The personnel of the telemedicine centre will install the equipment in the private residence of the patient and show him/her how to use it. In order to ensure sustainable successful treatment and to increase patient compliance, the patient receives a weekly call from the telemedicine centre. "The feeling of always being under medical observation is what gives sick people more security and enhances their quality of life", said Cord-Eric Lubinski, the project's manager at DAK.
Mr. Lubinski added: "Our goal is to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions through early detection, or to shorten them as far as possible." Currently, the DAK in Schleswig-Holstein spends each year more than €3 million for the treatment of patients with severe heart weakness.
A benefit assessment conducted in 2008 by an independent institute has shown that telemedicine for patients with chronic heart failure resulted in a decrease of the hospital admissions by 29 %. It is worth noting that an external institution accompanies the 'My Heart' and it will examine the success and the benefits from a scientific viewpoint.
Schleswig-Holstein's Ministry of Health welcomed the new initiative. "I am pleased, that the DAK and the [...] group of clinics have invented new innovative ways for the care of patients suffering from heavy cardiac diseases", said Dr. Renée Buck, Head of the Health Department. "Especially in rural regions with relatively few medical specialists, telemedicine is an important element".
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Quelle/Source: epractice, 22.07.2011
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