[tonythecanuck]

Telus and BlackBerry partner on remote patient monitoring, Technology for Doctors On line

By Rosie Lombardi

Telus and BlackBerry partner on remote patient monitoring

The BlackBerry Passport is positioned to become a key mobile device not just for doctors but also for patients who need to monitor their medical conditions. Telus Health is using this smartphone in its Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) technology for people living with chronic diseases like congestive heart failure, diabetes and more. BlackBerry Passport and Telus RPM systems work seamlessly to monitor biometrics like insulin levels, weight, and blood pressure.

Devices need to be easy to use when setting up remote home monitoring scenarios for patients, explains Dave Wattling (pictured), VP at Telus Health. �One of the things we�ve discovered is that the ergonomics of how the patient interacts with the device are absolutely crucial to their ability to not only use the device but to stick to the care plan that the nurse has given them.�

The BlackBerry Passport is particularly useful in RPM applications, as its screen size is in the middle ground between tablet and smartphone, rendering it more portable than a tablet while still providing more screen space than a smartphone to easily display readings.

�Physically, it�s actually the size of a typical passport, which gives us great real estate. The BlackBerry Passport is very portable, it�s secure, and the battery life is unbelievable. It�s a great addition to our line-up,� says Wattling.

Telus also has partnerships with Apple, Samsung, and other vendors that can be used with its RPM technology, he adds.

�What we found when we tried to run RPM apps on smartphones is that the screen is just too small. But we don�t want to be restrictive. We want to make sure that our solutions are available on iPads or whatever device patients are comfortable using. If the device is difficult for the patient, especially an elderly patient, then what we see is the patient doesn�t use it consistently or makes mistakes or presses the wrong buttons.�

More and more Canadian hospitals are setting up patients with serious health issues on remote home monitoring devices and equipment, he says. About 10,000 Canadian patients with a chronic disease have used Telus� RPM technology, which reduces return visits to the emergency department by as much as 40 percent, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

Hospitals provide and pay for these expensive, high-tech systems for patients they believe are high-risk thanks to the savings they glean over the long-term from reduced readmissions, says Wattling. The patient�s personal financial situation is irrelevant.

�Patients don�t pay for this. Hospital care teams select the patients that they think will most benefit from the technology and are willing to use it properly. They train them on how to use it, and then monitor them accordingly.�

There are three key categories of patients for which RPM is used. �The number one use is for cardiac arrest patients. The first three or four months following their discharge are the most critical, so patients are set up to ensure there isn�t a recurrence. The second is obstructive pulmonary diseases such as asthma, which are chronic conditions now � we�re seeing a lot of use for those patients. Third is diabetes, another chronic illness that can be self-managed routinely by the patient if handled properly.�

There is a growing market for RPM technology, as demographic studies show that the number of people with chronic disease will increase over time in Canada and other Western countries with aging populations. According to a study, about 308,000 patients were remotely monitored by their healthcare providers for CHF, COPD, diabetes, hypertension and mental health conditions worldwide. RPM is projected to reach 1.8 million patients worldwide by 2017 as hospitals and healthcare providers everywhere look for ways to reduce hospital readmission rates and track disease progression.*

�The idea of home monitoring, especially putting devices like the BlackBerry Passport in the hands of consumers set up for RPM, is an outstanding way to use technology to provide better healthcare while also reducing the costs. This is something that we all, as taxpayers, care about,� says Wattling.

END

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Posted using my BlackBerry Z30.

[TCB on Z10]

Sad that such a beautiful device for Doctors is not being marketed to them. The Passport screen is perfect shape for x-rays but the Radiologists, at my Hospital, do not know this and have iPhones. Cannot blame then as I have never seen BlackBerry advertising in Medical Journals. This month, LexiComp, the popular medical data base that thousands of Health Care Providers use on their smartphones, is dropping BlackBerry support. BlackBerry is sitting on billions of cash so they are choosing to not advertise to business, professions and consumers.

TCB on Z10

[tonythecanuck]

Sad that such a beautiful device for Doctors is not being marketed to them. The Passport screen is perfect shape for x-rays but the Radiologists, at my Hospital, do not know this and have iPhones. Cannot blame then as I have never seen BlackBerry advertising in Medical Journals. This month, LexiComp, the popular medical data base that thousands of Health Care Providers use on their smartphones, is dropping BlackBerry support. BlackBerry is sitting on billions of cash so they are choosing to not advertise to business, professions and consumers.

TCB on Z10

Excellent points !

Posted using my BlackBerry Z30.

[GreenCopperz]

Yes, this should be in every medical journal etc and promoted promoted promoted! This would then have a trickle effect into consumer markets once the pros adopt it :-)

Z30STA100-5/10.3.1.1154

[thymaster]

While Apple and Android is focusing on stupid health watches for profits, BlackBerry is looking at the bigger picture and investing in technology that matters to the health professionals who looks after us.

[Prem WatsApp]

Thanks for sharing.

So the Passport *is* a medical device now, after all, LOL :-)

�   Telstra + Classic, Optus + PP, AT&T + PP , Verizon + Classic... why the mix, Mr. Fix?   �

[birdman_38]

Not all medical professionals are attracted to the three row keyboard. The Passport 2 with a traditional keyboard (or all touch) should extend the appeal.

[Grafic111]

Not all medical professionals are attracted to the three row keyboard. The Passport 2 with a traditional keyboard (or all touch) should extend the appeal.

Passport 2? When is it out? Did I miss the announcement. What are the expected specs?

Q10 | SQN100-3 | CIRCA 2013