Pilot Project Reports 75% Reduction In Admissions

Pilot Project Reports 75% Reduction In Hospital Admissions

Blackpool’s National Health Service (NHS) in the UK has reported great success in using telehealth home monitoring to support people with long term conditions while enabling them to live independently at home. The 12 month pilot saw a 75% reduction in hospital admission for cardio obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disease patients, an 85% reduction in GP visits, and a 43% reduction in home nursing visits during the pilot.

Like Australia, Blackpool is experiencing a growing population of older people and people living with a long term condition, creating a need to more effectively manage available resources.

The outcome of the telehealth project alleviated pressure on care providers, allowing resources to be distributed where needed most.

NHS Blackpool launched the telehealth pilot using telehealth technology from Tunstall Healthcare, to remotely monitor the vital signs of 13 patients under case management of community matrons.

As well as improving cost and efficiency of service, patients demonstrated and reported an improved understanding and knowledge of their conditions, reducing anxiety and increasing their quality of life.

“I have found having telehealth equipment a great benefit”, one patient reported.

“It has helped to stabilise my health and keeps me out of hospital”.

With the success of the pilot, NHS Blackpool has already expanded the service to provide shorter term support for patients to improve understanding of their condition and help them to remain independent.

NHS Blackpool also plans to expand the service further to facilitate early hospital discharge and to prevent hospital readmissions.

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