The Virtual Heart Failure Service is designed to reduce patient travel time, hospitalisations and length of stay.
Ramsay Connect has established a Virtual Heart Failure Service providing heart health monitoring tools, remote monitoring and data analysis and virtual consultations in a bid to reduce hospitalisations, travel times and length-of-stays.
As part of the program, heart failure patients – about 100,000 Australians aged over 45 have chronic heart failure – receive technology and wearables to monitor their blood pressure, pulse, oxygen levels and weight from home.
Cardiovascular nurses remotely monitor the vital signs to detect any changes in patients early, which can prevent the need to go to hospital.
As part of the program, regular virtual consultations with specialist nurses and allied health professionals also help patients to manage their medication, diet, exercise and mental health.
According to Ramsay Connect, early results from the program’s trial include a 50% reduction in hospital readmissions, improvements in mental health and medication adherence.
Ramsay Connect CEO Ian Galvin said the Virtual Heart Failure Service was achieving improved health outcomes with patients empowered to better manage their condition and understand their symptoms.
“Chronic heart failure accounts for hundreds of preventable hospitalisations in Australia but with the right support, we can reduce the amount of time people spend in hospital,” he said.
“We know patients want flexibility in their care and they now have access to this program backed by specialist technology and a team of clinicians to provide the care they need at home.”
Eligible Bupa and Australian Unity health fund members are covered for using the VHFS.
Chris Carroll, Bupa’s managing director Chris Carroll said the service supported people to stay well at home.
“The VHFS allows our members to get the support they need in the comfort of their own home, avoiding treatment at hospital,” he said.
“Modernising patient care and experience is a key focus for us, and we’re pleased our members now have access to this service which is showing positive results for many suffering from heart failure.”
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