DJERRIWARRH Health Services is hoping a new trial program will improve the quality of life for patients with a chronic disease.
The health provider is testing the use of telehealth home monitoring equipment for people with a chronic disease as part of a nationwide research project being conducted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.
The trial will use the National Broadband Network currently being rolled out in Bacchus Marsh, and soon to be rolled out in Melton, to allow the health service to monitor the status of patients on a daily basis while they reside in their home.
Each patient participating in the trial will be provided with the telehealth home monitoring equipment, which enables important health information such as blood pressure, pulse rate and weight to be monitored by a healthcare professional from DjHS, and an NBN connection, free of charge for the length of the trial.
The system also allows for the patient to video conference with a nurse if they have any questions relevant to their health status.
Bruce Marshall, chief executive of DjHS, said the use of home monitor trial would provide the health service with an opportunity to respond to more subtle deteriorations in people’s health before they got worse.
“The use of telehealth home monitor provides the health service with an opportunity to respond to more subtle deteriorations in people’s health before they need to visit an emergency service or be admitted to hospital,” Mr Marshall said.
Patients participating in the trail must be over 50 years of age, have a chronic disease and have had either two unscheduled admissions to hospital in the past year or four unscheduled admissions to hospital in the past five years.
Participants must also live in the Bacchus Marsh or Melton area. Members of the public who meet the criteria should contact Djerriwarrh Health Services on 9747 7602.
