The VNA of LI's Telehealth Monitoring:

• Enables physicians, case managers and discharge planners to safely discharge home clients who need close clinical monitoring.
• Facilitates early intervention through daily monitoring of vital signs and collecting data on patient specific questions.
• Provides physicians with "up to the minute" clinical reports which include the following vital signs: weight, blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation.
• Allows the client to maintain a stable health status, thereby improving quality of life.

Telehealth Goals/Objectives:

• Early identification of those clients needing additional monitoring.
• Empower the client to manage his/her illness at home.
• Prevent hospitalization and unnecessary visits to healthcare professionals.
• Collect information to track improvement.

Telehealth Specifics:

• The Registered Nurse identifies clients appropriate for telehealth monitoring.
• With the physician's approval we are able to provide the monitoring system.
  • The physician establishes the monitoring parameters.
  • The monitoring system is installed into the client's home and the client/caregiver is taught how to work the equipment.
• Every day the client/caregiver is to do the vital sign check, answer patient specific programmed questions and then the data is transmitted via the patients’ home phone line to the agency’s Central Monitoring Station.
• The Central Station Nurse reviews all transmissions on a daily basis and follows-up on all Red Alerts.
• Red Alerts are:
  • Vital signs falling outside of the set parameters.
  • Unfavorable responses to the programmed questions.
• If no data is received by the patient specified time frame the Central Station Nurse calls the client.
• If the client is not feeling well at anytime during the day, he/she can do the vital sign check and transmit the data at any hour of the day or night.
• Verbal and written communication regarding the patient’s status is maintained with the physician at regular intervals.