Clearwater, Fla.-based BayCare Health System is expanding its home monitoring program with an interactive video service patients can access through a tablet-like device at home.
Each morning, participating congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients will record their vital signs and general health information using the device. A cardiac critical care nurse at a BayCare HomeCare office will review this information. If the nurse detects something abnormal, he or she initiates a video call with the patient for follow-up questions. If needed, a physician or pharmacist can also join the teleconference.
The new program, which was piloted at Tampa, Fla.-based St. Joseph's Hospital in September 2016, will roll out to all BayCare hospitals by May 2017. Its goal is to reduce the likelihood of readmissions for congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.