Digital Remote Monitoring: A New Era in HealthCare - Impact, Cost Savings, AI, and Virtual Wards
Digital Remote Monitoring: A New Era in HealthCare - Impact, Cost Savings, AI, and Virtual Wards unknown
Digital Remote Monitoring: A New Era in HealthCare
A recent study by Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) reveals that the use of a smartphone app, developed by Health Call, in care homes has significantly reduced hospital A&E attendances and emergency admissions. The study, carried out with 8,702 residents in 118 care homes, also points to substantial cost savings for the NHS. This ground-breaking study, published in Age and Ageing, marks a watershed moment in the use of digital technology in healthcare.
The Impact of the Health Call App
The Health Call app, a digital remote monitoring technology, was used in the study to monitor and manage the long-term health of residents in care homes across the North East of England. The use of this application not only led to an 11% reduction in A&E attendances but also a significant 25% decrease in emergency admissions. Moreover, the app boosted the confidence of care home staff in identifying possible health deterioration earlier and better managing illnesses before hospitalization becomes necessary.
Technology and Cost Savings
The HDR UK study also highlighted the financial benefits of using the Health Call app. The research team conducted a cost analysis and found that the use of this app within care homes led to a cost reduction for the NHS of £57 per resident in 2018, increasing to £113 in 2021. This digital technology not only improves patient outcomes but also brings significant cost savings for the healthcare system.
AI in Healthcare: The Way Forward
UK-based AI-powered care monitoring company, Lilli, recently raised £8.2m in a Series A financing round. The company’s technology uses AI and machine learning to observe patterns and trends in vulnerable individuals living independently. This technology aims to detect behavioural changes early, thereby improving health outcomes and reducing the need for hospital visits. The overall AI market is forecasted to be worth $909bn by 2030, with generative AI (GenAI) revenues expected to grow exponentially. The medical industry is expected to receive the first killer app for GenAI as early as 2024.
Virtual NHS Wards: Hospital-level Care at Home
Another innovative approach in healthcare is the use of virtual NHS wards. These wards offer hospital-level care at home through the use of apps and wearable devices. For example, Harold Chugg, a patient, was able to receive hospital-level care at home through remote monitoring technology. Although the concept of virtual wards faced some initial resistance, the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated their adoption, with successful implementation at trusts such as the Royal Devon NHS.
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Reduced Readmission Rates
Dr. Zsolt Kulcsar, the medical director at Lee Health Virtual Health in Florida, has reported that the use of RPM and digital care at home technologies has been instrumental in reducing 30-day readmission rates by 50% at Lee Health. RPM technology is continually advancing, leading to improved clinical outcomes and patient experiences.
In conclusion, the integration of digital technology in healthcare, including the use of apps like Health Call and the implementation of virtual wards, is revolutionising patient care. These advancements are not only improving patient outcomes and experiences but also bringing significant cost savings for the healthcare system. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to witness even greater improvements in patient care and healthcare efficiency.