New Technologies Promote Respiratory Condition Awareness

New Technologies Promote Respiratory Condition Awareness

09 November 2012

This November is National Lung Awareness Month, a month that features a range of special events to raise awareness about lung health and respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer 1.

According to Tunstall Healthcare Clinical Consultant Ruth Skinner-Smith new telehealth technologies are now providing an easy and accessible way for patients to monitor lung health from the comfort of their own home.

“Early intervention is key with many respiratory conditions. It is vital breathing difficulties are closely monitored from early onset and our telehealth equipment helps patients to measure their vital signs from home on a daily basis,” she said.

Although not widely used throughout Australia yet, Tunstall telehealth is set to introduce a new mode of healthcare with some states beginning to implement telehealth trial programs to better manage the health of people living with chronic respiratory conditions in their region.

“With telehealth we are seeing patients gain a better understanding of their condition, they can see how factors such as lifestyle and exercise are directly affecting their readings,” Ms Skinner-Smith said.

Telehealth can assist those living with respiratory problems to better manage their condition, helping them to maintain their health and independence for longer than they otherwise would.

“Our telehealth patients complete a health interview at a set time each day which guides them through the process of taking their own vital sign readings from home. The data is then transmitted to a response centre where any abnormal readings for the patient are flagged for follow up,” Ms Skinner-Smith said.

This can be used to prompt community nurses to visit that patient or for the patient’s doctor to intervene before the situation reaches crisis level, often preventing an emergency trip to hospital.

Doctors and specialists are also provided with the patient’s daily trend data so they can see what medication is doing for the patient and can quickly identify the correct mediation level.

The collected data can also be used by community nurses and doctors to coach the patient on their condition and show them how some activity has a direct correlation with their vital sign readings and general health.

To find out more about Lung Awareness Month visit www.lungfoundation.com.au

To find out more about telehealth visit www.tunstallhealthcare.com.au or call 1800 611 528.

1 http://www.lungfoundation.com.au/content/view/327/347/

--

For more product information, case studies and latest news visit
www.tunstallhealthcare.com.au

About Tunstall
Tunstall Healthcare Group is the market leading provider of telehealthcare solutions, with over 2.5 million users globally. Tunstall’s solutions support older people and those with long-term needs, helping them to live independently by effectively managing their health and well-being. Its solutions have been proven effective in the world’s largest telehealthcare trial (www.tunstallwsd.co.uk).

Tunstall provides technology, expertise and advice to millions of people enabling them to lead independent more fulfilling lives. For more information on how telehealthcare can improve quality of life, visit www.tunstallhealthcare.com.au.

ENDS

© Scoop Media