Telecare Aware

Sad reminder that in telecare, as with other IT-based systems, it’s what people do or don’t do that causes system failures.

October’s telecare newsletter carries information of interest mostly to UK council telecare providers, but also has a fairly full section for news stories. Here are links to two that have not already been covered in recent Telecare Aware postings:

Is Telehealth Gaining Momentum?

Personal, but insightful reflections of a blogger called John Moore (hitanaylst) following the Connected for Health conference in October. An interesting read.

Remote monitoring first for Amsterdam hospital

Report notes planned introduction of Philip’s Motiva system with 100 cardiac patients.

First time this Near Field Communication (NFC) technology is being used in this context the UK, I think. See the press release for an overview, the WELbeing (Wealden and Eastbourne Lifeline) website for an EXCELLENT video (link now also in the Video Library) and the Over-C website for more on the technical stuff.

Also, search Telecare Aware for ‘Hippocad’ for notes in April of this technology in use in France.

An interesting product positioned half-way conceptually between Alertacall’s Safety Confirmation Service and a full-blown call center service. A product for fairly independent people and, as noted in Telecare Aware last March, being sold through the Winn-Dixie supermarket chain in the US as well as directly by LogicMark. Visit this website link to view a Guardian Alert 911 video. (Also in the Video Library)

American Medical Alert Corp. said that sales and profits rose in the third quarter. The company said also it is discussing “the scope and terms” of a marketing agreement with Walgreen Co. for next year. American Medical and Walgreen are marketing a Walgreen-branded alert system through the drugstore’s retail network. Market report.

The Stollery Children’s Hospital (Edmonton) will now be able to deliver real-time paediatric cardiac care to remote Alberta communities thanks to a $500,000 donation from Bell.

Not telecare directly, but this article describes a situation where the introduction of appropriate telemonitoring devices could be supported and nurtured because of the positive human network that is in place. Community Care article.

A non-telecare story but, seeing as we all have an interest in our cholesterol levels and in avoiding Alzheimer’s if possible, I thought I’d share this story. The following paragraph struck me:
“Our findings raise the possibility that higher cholesterol levels conspire with other risk factors to trigger Alzheimer’s…They support the possibility that cholesterol-lowering treatments might promote brain health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease as people grow older.” Society For Neuroscience ScienceDaily item.

The Australian BioFirst Commercialisation Award is presented to the biotechnology or medical device company that shows the greatest potential for achieving international success. MedCare Systems, which provides “innovative technologies first pioneered in 1992 at the University if New South Wales for the assessment of functional health status of the aged in their home” competed against over 100 hi-tech medical companies to win this award. Medcare Systems products are available in the UK from Telemedcare Ltd. Press release with award and product information. Medcare Systems website.

From left to right: Shane Coombs from the NSW Dept of State & Regional Development, Professor Branko Celler CEO of Medcare Systems, Hon Verity Firth MP, Minister for Women, Minister for Science and Medical Research, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer)

At the recent Institute of Housing Conference in Harrogate Tynetec launched the first Telemedicine sensors to directly interface with a standard SayPhone 21 Dispersed Alarm Unit. A pulse oximeter sensor allows blood oxygen levels to be measured using a standard finger clip sensor. An automatic arm cuff sensor allows blood pressure to be measured. Information sheet.

RSLSteeper, the largest independent supplier of prosthetic and orthotic patient care services in the UK can now provide Docobo’s doc@HOME system to patients with chronic diseases or long term health conditions such as chronic heart failure, diabetes and hypertension. Press release.

The British Journal of Healthcare Computing is running its second telecare event, in Birmingham on 27th September 2007. The day will focus on case-history presentations and is free for participants from the NHS, social services and third sector organisations. Register for this telecare event.

On Monday 9 July the Queen officially opened the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College London. Her visit enabled the College to demonstrate its cutting-edge developments including implantable sensors for monitoring the glucose levels of diabetes patients, remote heart activity monitoring, and robotic surgery. IC press release for details.