Melton and Moorabool residents suffering from chronic health conditions have taken part in an Australian-first trial to monitor their health remotely.
The telehealth trial, which was run by the CSIRO, provided 25 patients with devices to help them monitor their heart rate, blood pressure, weight, temperature and oxygen saturation on a daily basis.
The information was transmitted to Djerriwarrah Health Service telehealth nurse Lay Yean Woo, who supervised the trial.
She said it helped reassure patients that their conditions were being closely monitored.
She said patients reported improvements in their quality of life and decreases in anxiety and depression, with many finding that home monitoring gave them a better understanding of their conditions.
“I could see the information in real-time and monitor them, following up with a phone call if there’s any issues with their health,” Ms Yean Woo said. “A lot of clients with chronic conditions are sitting at home not knowing when they should see a doctor. It gave them reassurance.”
Ms Yean Woo said the trial had helped reduce hospitalisation rates for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure.
“We picked up issues earlier, preventing them from being hospitalised,” she said. “For those that required hospitalisation, the length of stay was reduced.”
Ms Yean Woo said Melton and Moorabool residents interested in using the telehealth system should contact the health service.
