Healthanywhere - The future of eHealth

Testimonials

Catherine M Barlow wife of Wm Hayes Jackson a client of WeCare

When my husband Hayes and I were asked to be a part of a new pilot project we jumped at the chance. Not only could this Blood Pressure, Blood Oxygen Level and Weight monitoring help us it could eventually help a lot of other people. Being somewhat techie for my generation and with a medical background I was keen to be on the cutting edge of new home care devices. The sleek computer is light weight and compact. Hayes and I were able to travel to our cottage on an Island and it was no trouble to bring along this device and it also gave us peace of mind while in a rather remote location.

I check Hayes’s vitals twice a day and they are sent directly to We Care so we can all be instantly aware of any “danger” zone. Having an accurate record being imputed in this manner helps prevent mistakes and allows for quick response from care givers if needed.

The Blood Pressure cuff is neatly designed, easy to slip on, secure and activate to get a reading. The Blood Oxygen monitor is slightly more involved requiring more screen interaction so I tend to take the BO first. Due to our circumstances taking Hayes weight regularly if not necessary. Hayes has a brain tumor and it is difficult for him to balance and stand on the scale and his weight is not an issue. The only thing I would adjust is the “Volume” on the computer when it starts up – if the patient/client is sleeping it would be nice to be able to turn the volume off or at least very low – as it is it is very loud.

Thank you for the opportunity to express my feeling and for allowing us to be a part of this important new device “Re Act” and “Healthanywhere” Please feel free to contact us for any further comments.

From Kathleen, RN, Health Access, Beaconsfield, Montreal

“Patient RS: His BP was too high, so I advised him to call the office, request a print out of his BP measurements & take it to his MD. He did & was started om Coversyl 4 mg. He will see his MD again after 2 weeks on Coversyl, again was advised to request another print out, should she want to increase his dose. A great intervention here.”

“Another patient OA: She had a brain aneurysm in May 2008, she had been in the study just 2 days when advised to call her MD. She stated she was advised to take 5 or 10 mg of Norvasc for her BP, she was on 5 mg, but had increased to 10 mg when she saw her readings. Will see her MD this week for a consultation. Again, this patient really benefitted from this technology.”

“Thank you for all your help!”

Kathy McCarthy, Director of Patient Services, Southshore Home Health Services, Inc

“We feel that Healthanywhere, or the Health Assist, is a great asset to our early intervention/prevention program. Our patients have shown more interest in their health status because they are now more empowered. Our paraprofessionals love the program- it gives them the chance to positively impact their patient’s care. As an organization, we embrace the opportunity to reduce our patient’s acute episodes of care. We look forward to working with Healthanywhere as we grow our telehealth program.”

Reported by Florann Shaw, RN, Manger of Re-ACT

“A husband and wife both using React. The wife has difficulty breathing and had spent 2 months in the summer in the hospital with pneumonia and has not recovered well this time. Had a visiting nurse 3x per week to measure her vital signs. CCAC wanted to decrease her nursing visits and she asked them to 'please do not take her nurse away.' With React, we have been able to monitor her O2 levels. When they have become low, and through contact with her Dr., she has been able to start on antibiotics early to ward off any further pneumonia. Also, she feels at ease with 'someone watching'. She doesn't want to go back into the hospital because she would have no one to care for her husband. The visiting nurse has been discharged since we started with React.

Her husband had surgery for a Brain tumour with resulting stroke after surgery, heart disease, Parkinson's Disease and diabetes. He feels more at ease and watches his blood sugars and diet carefully knowing we are watching. His nurse has also decreased her visits to once/wk

Measuring his vital signs also helps his wife, by knowing he is OK and not worrying about him so much. She feels confident in knowing she can talk with us if she has any concerns about her husband's condition.”

“The wife of a client we have on We Care service, requested Re-ACT to monitor his Vital signs-BP, weight, Blood sugars. He has heart disease, diabetes, and renal failure. She feels great 'knowing there is someone to call' if she has concerns. She also stated that her husband is watching his diet and blood sugars more carefully, knowing we are monitoring his levels. It has made 'life easier' for her as she doesn't have to tell him not to eat certain things. The client still has a visiting nurse once/wk. (decreased since having Re-ACT) and the nurse likes the fact that she can see his vital signs results since her last visit, for her own notes.”

“New client who had a heart attack recently and only returned home from hospital 2 weeks before having the monitor, has helped both him and the family not to worry so much. They can see the vital signs and have called to be reassured that everything is OK or to ask questions. His return visit to the Dr. isn't until Jan. 15/09. The client and the family required a lot of health teaching re: post heart attack care, when we installed the equipment. That is why it is important to have a Registered nurse doing the assessments, installing equipment and monitoring the clients.”

“All feel more at ease which is probably helping to keep their vital signs and measurements within parameters. No anxiousness sending them to visit ER that has been avoided.”