The combined use of telehealth and OwnHealth has resulted in a
reduction in hospital admissions and improved patient satisfaction.
In the year before enrolment in this service the members
provided with telehealth equipment accounted for a total of 175
admissions. During the first year of their use of telehealth
equipment this dropped to 24 admissions, with bed days reducing
from 1353 to 2913.
The results of a patient satisfaction survey revealed that since
using the telehealth devices, 63% of patients have had fewer
unplanned admissions to hospital and 67% felt that their general
health was more stable. In addition, 74% said that they felt less
anxious about their health and 54% felt they had been able to do
more with their friends and family. And 90% of patients said they
would recommend the service to their family and
friends3.
These results and those of care management alone compare very
favourably with the outcomes of the Department of Health's
Whole System Demonstrator (WSD)
Programme which reported its early outcomes5 in
December 2011. The WSD programme demonstrated a 15% reduction in
the attendance at A&E, a 20% reduction in emergency admissions,
a 14% reduction in elective admissions and number of bed days, and
an 8% reduction in tariff costs. They also demonstrated a 45%
reduction in mortality.
The WSD report also highlighted the need for telehealth to be
integrated with the other services available to people with long
term conditions - this is just what we have been doing in OwnHealth
for over five years with demonstrably improved outcomes.
Pfizer Health Solutions works with a number of providers of
telehealth and telecare equipment to ensure that the best and most
appropriate equipment is made available to the patients it serves.
If you wish to explore the provision of telehealth as part of a
fully integrated long term condition care pathway please contact us.