Several nonprofit health organizations across Wisconsin will receive grants totaling $1 million from the state's Universal Service Fund (USF) Telemedicine program, Gov. Jim Doyle has announced.
The program awards grants annually to nonprofit medical clinics, hospitals and public health agencies, which help clinics and hospitals purchase telecom equipment to promote advanced medical services and enhance access to medical care in underserved areas. This year, 37 organizations requested approximately $3.8 million from the fund for the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years, with 27 being selected as grant recipients.
Among those grantees, St. Joseph's Home Health and Hospice in Chippewa Falls will receive $34,200 to expand its pilot Tele-Monitoring project by purchasing 10 home health care systems to monitor chronically ill patients within Chippewa, Eau Claire and surrounding counties.
"This equipment requires only a telephone line and enables nurses to remotely monitor patients at home who suffer from chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," said Debbie Lauer, RN, director of home health and hospice services at St. Joseph's Hospital. "Our Tele-Monitoring System allows nursing staff to daily monitor blood pressure, pulse, weight, and oxygen levels – information which can be critically important to patient stability and well-being."
With this technology, she says, "staff members can provide immediate intervention to stabilize a patient's health condition and prevent hospitalizations."
St. Joseph's patients are happy with the promise of telemedicine.
"The Tele-Monitoring unit keeps me focused on what's going on and makes me aware of what to watch for," said Evelyn LeDuc of Cadott, Wis. "I'm not here alone. I know someone is looking out for me if something is not right. It has helped by alerting me to early signs of health problems so I don't have to go into the hospital."
"I would like to express my gratitude for the use of the Tele-Monitoring equipment," added Dan Foiles of Chippewa Falls. "For individuals with physical impairments such as I have, this program is a godsend. It allows me to stay in the comforts of my own home and sends necessary information on to my health advisors. This information can then be digested by the experts, and any changes in plan of care can then be implemented. I highly endorse this easy-to-use program, and thank you for allowing me to be one of the early users."
Joan Coffman, president and CEO of St. Joseph's Hospital noted that early interventions are vital to improve symptom management and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
"Remote monitoring also improves health behaviors and compliance with medications and treatments," said Coffman. "Tele-monitoring is a key part of our care integration strategy to provide high-quality, cost-effective and better integrated care. This technology saves lives, provides more efficient care and helps reduce health care costs."
