Vim & Vigor - Winter 2009 - (Page 55)

by kate carwile community connections telehealth comes home an exciting new technology is helping patients heal where they heal best—at home W When Morris Boxer returned home from the hospital last March, he did so with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure, new medications and a monitoring device that his wife, Marilyn, calls his “security blanket.” He has not gone back to the hospital since. The real name for the advanced technology that has kept Boxer from being readmitted is Telehealth. This two-way video system, which enables medical practitioners to closely monitor patients at home, was ﬁrst piloted by Centura Health at Home in 2005. It allows patients with illnesses such as congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes to receive regular care from nurses between ofﬁce visits. Centura Health is Colorado’s leader in cardiovascular innovation and technology, and offers cardiovascular and thoracic surgery featuring traditional and innovative surgical techniques for open-heart, coronary-bypass and robotic-assisted surgery. During each video checkup, the nurse offers details about a particular medication, preventing the “information overload” that can occur when ofﬁce visits are sporadic. Nutrition counseling is provided remotely as well, with patients learning to read labels, create menus and begin making healthier food choices. ❋ virtual checkups Interactive and easy to use, the system enables practitioners to monitor patterns and changes in blood pressure, blood sugar, weight and oxygen levels. Each patient also answers questions related to his or her speciﬁc disease using a touch-screen monitor. The answers provided help nurses gauge both the pace of improvement and how well patients understand their disease process. And the education is ongoing. ❋ patient empowerment “The beauty of Telehealth is how it empowers patients to take an active role in their own care,” says Dianne Newberry, BSN, MHA, director of operations for Centura Health at Home. “They learn how to manage their condition and identify early [warning] signals. Oftentimes, just changing medication dosages can help them avoid a rehospitalization.” Boxer remained a Telehealth client for six months—with no hospital readmittances. He and his wife cite the nurses that they worked with as an integral component of the program’s success. “Kimberly and Teresa were the best part of the program,” the couple says. heal at home Telehealth allows patients with illnesses such as congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes to receive regular care from registered nurses between office visits. go Patients hospitalized at St. Anthony Central Hospital may be eligible for Telehealth services. A physician’s referral is necessary. For more information on this exciting new technology, visit centurahealthathome.org. vim & vigor · wi nter 2009 http://www.centurahealthathome.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2009

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2009
Contents
Opening Thoughts
For Your Health
Close Call
Model Behavior
Is It a Sign?
Your Heart: The Owners Manual
Independence Days
The Right Stuff
Watch and Learn
Up to Speed
Pedi-Cures
It Ain't Brain Surgery
Centering Preganancy
Somebody Special
From Here to Hanoi
Community
Ask the Experts

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2009