title: Emerging technology for at-risk chronically ill veterans.
abstract: Patients are exposed to iatrogenic injury when hospitalized. In the Tech Care Coordination Program, older veterans with chronic diseases and high healthcare utilization were followed with an in-home technology device, the Health Buddy, and risk management software. Program staff could identify at-risk patients based on their responses to a series of questions about symptoms, behavior, and knowledge. Patients followed in the program for at least 6 months experienced a 45% decrease in hospital admissions, 67% decrease in nursing home admissions, 54% decrease in emergency room visits, and 38% decrease in pharmacy prescriptions. The patients also demonstrated improved compliance with treatment regimens and both patients and providers reported high levels of program satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Florida-Puerto Rico Veterans Sunshine Healthcare Network, USA. mary.huddleston@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huddleston
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kobb
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D005845:Georgia; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011647:Puerto Rico; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012648:Self Care; D017216:Telemedicine; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology