What is Telehealth?  Telehealth is a program developed in 2007 by Windsor Place At-Home Care.  Technology (Telestation) is placed in a home care recipient's home.  With this equipment, a person monitors their vital signs and health status on a daily basis.  A nurse evaluates the health information for any problems that may need a doctor's attention.  The goal of Telehealth is to intervene before there is a serious health risk, thus avoiding the need for hospitalization or institutional long-term care. During the 3 year pilot period, hospitalizations were reduced 38% ER visits 67% and nursing home admissions 20%. Of those pilot participants who went to a nursing home, their stay was 58% shorter than the Medicaid average.

Telestation Equipment Includes: 

• Blood Pressure Cuff
• Pulse Oximeter to Measure Pulse and Blood Oxygen Level
• Glucose Meter to Measure Blood Sugar
• Scales to Measure Body Weight
• Client Surveys for Assessment, Education & Information

How Does Telehealth Work?  Using the Telestation and peripheral devices placed in his/her home, the client self-administers a variety of simple tests.  A set of nursing questions to be completed by the client will provide the nurse with additional health information.  All the data transmits wirelessly to the Telestation.  The Telestation then dials out and transmits the data to a password protected web site.

Parameters are set for acceptable readings on each device.  A nurse monitors all readings and is alerted to any reading falling outside these parameters.  The nurse can then help decide if further action is warranted such as a call to the doctor.

A written report of all measurements is sent to the client's doctor on a monthly basis.  These monthly reports document variations in the client's health alerting the doctor of possible health issues.

Who Benefits from Telehealth?  With the potential for early intervention and treatment when health problems arise, seniors are able to live independently in their own homes longer.  Telehealth empowers clients with the knowledge to manage their own health care.  The consistent monitoring of vitals also makes the client more aware of his/her behavior and how it affects his/her health.

• Telehealth allows caregivers to be more efficient in caring for their clients.  Through the reports, caregivers can see the day to day results of the services they provide.  For example, the caregiver can see if certain meals prepared are elevating blood sugar levels or if certain activities are helping a client lose weight.
• With Telehealth, family members can be more involved.  From across town or across the country, they can have access to important information and take part in reinforcing and administering their loved-one's care.
• The payer will also benefit from Telehealth.  More seniors can be treated for less money.  Millions of Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance dollars will be saved through Telehealth.

For more information on how Telehealth can...

• Reduce Hospital Stays
• Reduce Hospital Expenses
• Reduce Emergency Room Visits & Costs
• Reduce the Number of Admissions to Nursing Homes

Please contact:
Windsor Place At-Home Care
Monte Coffman
2921 W. 1st
Coffeyville, KS 67337
(620) 251-5190, ext. 126