Remote Patient Monitoring Technology Cost and Quality Benefits for Management of Chronic Disease
OAKLAND, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 05/14/10 -- Remote patient monitoring devices could reduce U.S. health care costs by nearly $200 billion during the next 25 years, if they were more widely used by patients with certain chronic diseases.(1) Medicare could save $12 billion annually, if these devices were also used to help prevent hospital readmissions.(2) Estimated savings such as these for the U.S. health care system and improved quality of life for older Americans with chronic conditions provide a context for the Center for Technology and Aging's recently released report, "Technologies for Remote Patient Monitoring in Older Adults," available at www.techandaging.org : .
"Remote patient monitoring (RPM) technologies have been shown to be effective in helping to manage chronic disease, post-acute care and monitoring the safety of older adults," said David Lindeman, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Technology and Aging. "These technologies can help slow the progression of chronic disease, speed recovery after discharge from an acute care setting and help vulnerable adults avoid injuries."
The detailed report is a primer on RPM and underscores the importance of more rapid adoption of this technology as a cornerstone for tackling the high cost of chronic disease care, which accounts for three-quarters of America's direct health expenditures. The report includes a description of the:
* Five-step RPM process (Collect, Transmit, Evaluate, Notify, Intervene).
* Opportunities to apply RPM to chronic care, post-acute care, and patient safety.
* Veterans Health Administration experience and positive results from its RPM use.
* Features of seven integrated RPM devices currently on the market: Health Buddy (Bosch), Telestation (Philips), Genesis DM (Honeywell), Health Guide PHS6000 (Intel), LifeView (American Telecare), Ideal LIFE Pod (Ideal Life), Healthanywhere (Healthanywhere, Inc.).
* Features of four Continuous Cardiac RPM technologies: Biotronik Home Monitoring, Medtronic CareLink, Boston Scientific Latitude, and St. Jude Merlin.net.
* Technology characteristics of RPM devices for fall detection, fall prevention and location tracking, including medical alerts for family or caregivers.
* Characteristics of location tracking device products currently available, including: EmFinders' EmSeeQ; Alzheimer's Association Comfort Zone, powered by Omnilink; LoJack SafetyNet; GPS Tracking and Navigation FlexTrack; and Google's Latitude.
(The report does not necessarily include a comprehensive list of products or vendors for a given technology and those included in the report are not endorsed by the Center for Technology and Aging.)
In conjunction with the report, the Center is making a total of $500,000 in grants to several organizations that will demonstrate how RPM applications -- that keep older adults out of more intensive, higher-cost care settings -- can be rapidly expanded. Grant selections will be announced in July. Winning organizations must demonstrate how their RPM strategy can be more widely integrated into the fabric of state and national health care delivery.
"Health reform and significant federal investment in health information technology has focused national attention on the importance managing the high cost chronic disease. The time is right for more rapid adoption of RPM technologies that can reduce emergency room visits, help seniors stay in their homes -- and out of expensive care settings -- and live more safely, even with complex chronic conditions," said Lindeman.
Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among older adults, according to data cited in the report. Nearly two million seniors were treated in emergency departments for fall injuries in 2007. But getting help quickly after a fall reduces the risk of hospitalization by 26 percent. The Center's report describes these devices' underlying technologies.
Finally, the report includes highlights of positive outcomes from the Veterans Health Administration's Care Coordination/Home Telehealth program, which serves as a dramatic example of how an enterprise-wide implementation of RPM has proven to be a cost-effective approach to managing chronic care patients.
The Center for Technology and Aging ( www.techandaging.org : ) supports more rapid adoption and diffusion of technologies that enhance independence and improve home and community-based care for older adults. Through grants, research, public policy involvement and development of practical tools and best practice guidelines, the Center serves as an independent, non-profit resource for improving the quality and cost-effectiveness of long-term care services. The Center was established with funding from The SCAN Foundation ( www.thescanfoundation.org : ) and is affiliated with the Public Health Institute ( www.phi.org : ) in Oakland, CA.
(1) Litan, R. Vital Signs via Broadband: Remote Health Monitoring Transmits Savings, Enhances Lives. October report. 2008 Available at: betterhealthcaretogether.org :
(2) Bisognano M, Boutwell A. Improving transitions to reduce readmissions. Frontiers of Health Services Management. Spring 2009;25(3):3-10.
Missing Women Found
Alachua County sheriff's deputies located an elderly woman with dementia, about two hours after she had wandered away from her home Saturday.
Deputies discovered the woman, who is in her 80s, in woods south of Archer Road less than two hours after she was reported missing just before 2 p.m.
The woman, who suffers from dementia and Alzheimer's, was overheated but otherwise was all right, said Lt. Kevin Oberlin.
The woman was spotted from a law enforcement helicopter that was flying in the area.
The Sheriff's Office offers Project Lifesaver, which provides bracelets that can help locate people with dementia, Alzheimer's or other conditions that may make it difficult for them to find their way back home. The bracelets contain a device that emits a signal that can be traced to within a few feet.
In a case such as this one, officers could have located a missing person wearing a bracelet in less than a half hour, said Deputy Leo Lowe.
The woman in this case will be receiving a bracelet that will help others find her if there is a repeat of Saturday's incident, Lowe said.
Anyone needing more information on Project Lifesaver can contact the Crime Prevention office at 374-1800, Lowe said.
Henderson Co.
Project Lifesaver is a tracking service for people who are at risk for wandering away, like people with alzheimers, dementia, and down syndrome. Under the program clients would receive a bracelet that looks like a watch band. The bracelet has a transmitter inside and emits a radio frequency.
"I can't believe more people don't get involved in it because you feel so much safer. We knew that if he did wonder off that we would be able to find him," Claudia Wayne said.
Claudia Wayne says her 82-year-old father has alzheimers. Within the past year, he started wearing the bracelet.
"We live on a farm. We were getting kind of concerned about him wondering off and at one point in time he was going out the door quite a bit," Wayne said.
Henderson Emergency Management Agency Director, Larry Koeber says there are 900 people in Henderson County who are eligible for the bracelet, but they only have one client. In Vanderburgh County, they have five clients who wear the bracelet.
"It takes only a minute to turn your back and someone's gone. Just like a child. If you go to the bathroom, if you brush your teeth and by the time you finish that, the person's gone," Larry Koeber said.
In Henderson County, there is an open missing person case. 64-year-old Dianna Henry has been missing since May 2008. Koerber says Henry was diagnosed with early stages of dementia. When she went missing, crews searched around the clock for three days, by foot, air, and they brought in dog teams.
"That person has not been found yet. Now, had they had the bracelet at that time, I'm sure that that would've been a different story," Koeber said.
He says if a client is wearing the bracelet and goes missing, they can find them in less than 35 minutes.
The tracking bracelet costs $25 a month which covers the replacement batteries. Henderson, Daviess, and Vanderburgh Counties all have Project Lifesaver. Union and Webster Counties are considering it.
Emfinders vs Project Lifesaver/LoJack
Sheriff’s office receives grant
Houston County Courier - December 2009
CROCKETT - Deputy Jerry Durrett of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office accepted a grant from the Sam’s Club Foundation in the amount of $500 to assist citizens in the county who have family members that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or Autism.
Houston County Sheriff Darrel Bobbitt had originally considered going with the program “Project Lifesaver.”�
This project would have cost the county approximately $3,000 to get implemented.
The new program, Emfinders, is no cost to law enforcement, but is a valuable tool that can be used to help locate family members who have wondered off and cannot be located.
Sheriff Bobbitt stated that he is always looking for ways to cut costs to our county and believes this program will be an invaluable resource if there should be a need for it.
His hopes are to raise enough money to be able to purchase the bands for each family that is need of one and who meet the criteria of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Autism by a medical doctor.
According to EmFinders 70 percent of those with Alzheimer’s are likely to wander from their homes or senior care communities as the disease progresses. An Alzheimer’s patient who wanders outside alone can easily become lost, confused, injured, and exposure to extreme temperatures can be fatal. If not found within a 24-hour period, up to half will suffer serious injury or death.
The EmFinders EmSeeQ device provides caregivers with peace of mind, knowing that law enforcement can quickly locate and recover their loved one should that person wander and become lost. Senior Care communities benefit because they can protect their residents and reduce their liability risks, while providing residents with maximum personal freedom.
EmFinders based in Frisco, has developed an emergency location solution that is integrated nationally with current 9-1-1 systems.
The EmFinders EmSeeQ is a watch-like device without buttons or screen and is under the secure, remote control of the EmFinders operation center. When the device is activated — only law enforcement has access to the location information. The EmSeeQ device is water-resistant and is designed to be worn 24/7 by individuals with medical impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s important to note that this device can only be activated at the request of the caregiver. Once activated, the device places a call and provides its location to a 911 operator via the cellular network just as a standard cell phone would. EmFinders then coordinates directly with 9-1-1 dispatchers to identify and assist in the recovery of wandering individuals.
The EmFinders system does not use GPS. Instead it uses advanced triangulation through the cellular network to accurately determine a person’s location, including in buildings or environments that would typically interfere with GPS locators.
The EmFinders solution works nationwide and is able to follow a moving person. Unlike GPS that can be blocked by walls, roofs and tall buildings, the EmSeeQ device provides the best chance of locating wanderers indoors.
It takes one phone call to activate the service after the wanderer has been reported missing to the police. It links directly to 911 dispatch centers, giving caregivers piece of mind during an emergency situation.
The EmFinders solution is affordable. The purchase of the EmSeeQ device and monthly fee are similar to a mobile phone (less than $200 and about $25 per month). There is no software to download and no Internet requirement.
The EmSeeQ device has an internal battery which must be charged at least once a week. LED indicators are located on the side of the device; a green light will appear when the battery is fully charged while a red light will flash to indicate low battery level.
Since the device is monitored by the EmFinders operation center, customer service will automatically alert the caregiver via email, text messaging or phone if the battery reaches a critically low level.
For additional information or to make a donation contact the Houston County Sheriff’s Office at 544-2862.
A better solution for tracking
FRISCO, TX, October 14, 2009 – EmFinders EmSeeQ™ Now Available to Locate Wandering Individuals in Emergency Situations Nationwide
Unparalleled reliability and peace of mind for law enforcement, the 9-1-1 community, and caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease, autism, and other cognitive and developmental disabilities
FRISCO, TX, October 14, 2009 – EmFinders™ announced today the initial rollout of its EmFinders EmSeeQ™ wide-area location device and service. Emfinders EmSeeQ is an emergency response solution designed to work in conjunction with law enforcement officials and the 9-1-1 community to help immediately locate adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities and children who wander, including those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and autism. The solution utilizes a watch-like wearable device and cellular network-based U-TDOA technology to provide unparalleled tracking information in emergency situations.
For Law Enforcement and the 9-1-1 Community (PSAP, NENA, APCO)
EmFinders EmSeeQ is integrated nationally with current E9-1-1 systems. Law enforcement officials and the 9-1-1 community can therefore rely on the EmFinders EmSeeQ system beginning immediately, without configuring any new systems, equipment, or software, and without incurring any cost. EmFinders coordinates directly with public safety access point (PSAP) dispatchers in emergency situations to eliminate the “search” portion of search and rescue missions—dramatically reducing the time needed to locate and recover wandering individuals, while saving law enforcement agencies and the 9-1-1 community valuable human resources and tax dollars.
“Locating wandering individuals in a particular area can often be like searching for a needle in a haystack,” says Frisco Texas Police Chief, Todd Renshaw. “If the wanderer has driven somewhere, that becomes multiple haystacks. It’s encouraging to know that we can begin receiving support from EmFinders immediately without any extra effort on our part. I would advise all law enforcement agencies to become familiar with this service.”
For Caregivers, Senior Communities, and Advocacy Groups
EmFinders EmSeeQ offers a watch-like device that can be worn by any individual with the propensity to wander, including those with Alzheimer’s disease, autism, and other cognitive and developlmental disabilities. In emergency situations, caregivers make just two phone calls; the first is to 9-1-1 and the second is to EmFinders. The cellular network then provides 9-1-1 dispatchers the location of the missing individual.”
“It’s comforting to know that my husband can maintain a certain level of independence while living with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Ginny Boling, wife and caregiver. “EmSeeQ allows us to travel and live more active lives knowing that my husband can be located should he ever wander again.”
The bracelet fits like a wristwatch, reducing awkwardness and embarrassment and increasing acceptance. Furthermore, the combined cost of the device and monthly service fee are similar to that of a mobile phone. The service is offered on a month-to-month basis, with a discounted one-year subscription option. EmFinders EmSeeQ can be purchased at www.emfinders.com.
The U-TDOA Difference
EmFinders EmSeeQ utilizes U-TDOA (Uplink Time Difference Of Arrival) technology, the same high-performance, network-based location technology that is used by 9-1-1 personnel nationwide to calculate the location of mobile phone subscribers making 9-1-1 calls. Each year, 60 million 9-1-1 callers are successfully located using U-TDOA technology in the U.S. alone. Using this highly reliable technology, the location of individuals wearing this watch-like device is quickly and accurately determined. Furthermore, unlike other solutions (GPS, A-GPS, RF), Emfinders EmSeeQ can reliably locate wanderers who are indoors or are otherwise blocked by a wall, roof, or building, regardless of how far they wander from home.
“Time, distance, and physical barriers are consistently daunting variables in wandering scenarios,” states Jim Nalley, EmFinders CEO and co-founder. “As the population of at-risk individuals continues to grow, so does the need for support to caregivers and law enforcement. It is heartening to know that our technology will accomplish this goal by providing timely and accurate information to law enforcement officials in a growing number of emergency situations.”
Alzheimer’s and Autism Facts
According to a recent report by the Alzheimer’s Association, there are currently 5.3 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and a new case is diagnosed every 70 seconds. By 2050, the association expects nearly one million new cases to be diagnosed each year. Furthermore, 1.5 million people living in the US currently have autism and it is known to be the fastest-growing developmental disability with an annual growth rate of 10-17%. An online survey conducted by the National Autism Association showed that 92% of children with autism are prone to wandering and the Alzheimer’s Association states that 70% of those with dementia are likely to wander throughout the course of their disability.
About EmFinders
EmFinders, based in Frisco, TX, is a new technology company that has developed a device and subscription service for locating people with Alzheimer’s or other impaired adults and children who wander and become lost. The wearable device and locator service uses advanced cellular technology to locate lost individuals, even if they wander inside a building, under a structure or just about anywhere. The device becomes activated on remote command and the locator service works in coordination with emergency responders. EmFinders is a privately held subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation attributed to the Liberty Capital group (NASDAQ: LCAPA), which owns a broad range of electronic retailing, media, communications and entertainment businesses. For more information, visit www.emfinders.com or www.libertymedia.com.
EmFinders Media Contact: Garfield Group Public Relations, emfinders-pr@garfieldgroup.com
LoJack for the Infirm
The idea of using an electronic device to monitor the movements of people and pets is not new. Several products exist that use GPS technology to keep an eye on kids, animals and those with some form of dementia.
Now a new company has created a monitoring device with a twist: instead of GPS, it uses the GSM cellular network to locate those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome, or other ailments that may cause people to wander off.
EmFinders‘ (”Em” for emergency) device, called EmSeeQ, looks like a black watch without a face. It’s placed on the user’s wrist just like a watch. (It’s unlikely that a user can remove it, as two hands are needed to do so.) So as not to agitate an individual who needs to wear one, the device remains silent and passive with no beeps or lights.
If an individual does wander off, a caretaker calls the EmFinders center. It in turn calls the 911 dispatch center, and a recording gives the operator the location of the individual. According to company head Jim Nally, by using cellphone technology, the company can pinpoint the location of someone within 10 to 20 feet, or about 1,000 feet in rural areas.
The EmSeeQ charger.“GPS has a hard time operating in urban canyons,” Mr. Nally said, explaining why his company chose to use a mobile network for monitoring. According to a company spokeswoman, the EmSeeQ can operate on a much weaker signal than required for an actual cellphone call.
EmSeeQ costs $185 for the device, plus $25 per month for the service. The cost to the police is nothing, as a department simply receives a call from the EmFinders center.
Mr. Nally believes that the device can in fact save both police and families money. He cites an Australian study that claims that a typical missing-person search costs more than $10,000, after factoring in the cost of dispatching squad cars, helicopters, and canine units. And when individuals are found, they’re typically taken to hospitals to check for dehydration.
Regardless of whether that claim is accurate, a device that can quickly find a missing person could certainly be attractive to adult caregivers dealing with parents suffering from dementia.
http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/07/lojack-for-the-infirm/
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