Chapter 1: The Changing World of Healthcare

Ron is a 72-year-old man who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He has been given digital monitoring devices that allow him to monitor his blood oxygen levels, blood pressure and temperature at an agreed time each day. Using his mobile phone and a digital device his readings are sent to a ‘virtual’ ward each day. If the results are outside of normal values, then a specialist nurse or doctor is alerted. One morning Ron is feeling particularly breathless and has a productive cough. He sends his readings as normal and later that morning receives a phone call from the one of the team of nurse specialists who monitor the virtual ward who after discussing how he is feeling suggests he needs to be seen by his GP to get antibiotics and will contact his GP to organise.

Question

  • What do you think are the benefits of the way technology have been used above?

Answer

  • Reduced patient admissions and/or length of stay. Due to early intervention patients who need hospitalisation are brought in earlier and given the right care and treatment earlier.
  • Reduced number of home visits for both nurses and GPs.
  • Cost savings due to the reduction in hospital admissions, shorter stay in hospitals and less need for home visits.