$36 Billion Dollars in Savings from Remote Patient Monitoring

Juniper Research has recently produced a report showing that remote patient monitoring will save up to 36 billion dollars (USD) globally by 2018. While this is a best case scenario, it is not an unrealistic one as devices, software and usage are just starting to be developed.

mHealth, a term that refers to the concept of using mobile devices and software to remotely practice medicine is seen as a new frontier in cutting healthcare costs around the world and to keep patients out of the hospital. This is particularly relevant for chronic diseases, such as for cardiac outpatient monitoring where blood pressure and other vitals can be monitored and medications adjusted remotely without the need for patients to physically visit their doctors. It also allows more accurate assessments and trends, given that information can be collected more frequently and accurately.

Juniper Research’s paper also document other findings, such as Western Europe being the most promising new market and also the emergence of new health models based on this novel idea. It also demonstrates current difficulties in advancing mHealth including the unclear methods in reimbursement for current businesses. Given the immense savings that can be achieved, this is one area of development worth keeping a close eye on.

http://www.juniperresearch.com/viewpressrelease.php?pr=387

SecuraFone Health – A Glimpse to the Future

The days of the trusty watch dog are over. Say hello to the 21st Century boys and girls where all you have to do is switch on your grandad’s iPhone and it’ll watch your grandad for you! Thanks to SecuraTrac and Vital Connect potential medical emergencies can be managed both effectively and in record time giving you,your loved ones and even your doctors some well deserved peace of mind. From epileptics to patients with heart failure the uses of this app are endless, and the technology’s fairly simple. SecuraTrac’s GPS enabled tracking devices are being coupled with Vital Connect’s body sensors to produce SecuraFone Health, an Android and Apple iOS product which will monitor respiratory rates, pulse rates, temperatures and other vitals and immediately alert the health professionals and care givers if any change is recorded.

How is this all possible you may ask? Well, Hermosa Beach, California based SecuraTrac will use its already available driver tracking software and Vital Connect will provide the biosensor, in the form of a water resistant patch worn on the chest or back. A single patch will be effective for 2-3 days at a time and will give caregivers a sense of security in always knowing where their patients, children or parents are and how they’re doing.

And there’s more. SecuraTrac CEO, Chris Holbert states that the app will be available in the form of a monthly service which will be linked to a 24/7 emergency response center with trained health care professionals that can respond to health emergencies as they happen, when they happen. The release date for this mobile personal emergency response system (or mPERS for short) is set for the end of this year but there has still been no official word on the pricing or the type of wireless technology that will be used. SecuraTrac already offers a tranditional active system called LifeTrac mobile protector which requires patients to hit a panic button when they require assistance.

Links:

http://www.securatrac.com/home/