title: A new monitoring service for long term residential care.
abstract: eVital, a European funded project, aims to investigate the issues in the provision of vital signs monitoring services in the community. For the UK pilot, services to monitor the vital signs of patients in residential care homes by remote health care workers have been established. In particular, the aim was to allow the resident's own GP to observe the ECG, blood pressure, SpO2, temperature and respiration whilst still in the health centre and be able to advise on the most appropriate action should a crisis occur. As outcomes, this pilot project was designed to determine feasibility, channels of communication between key players and assess the technology. Trials have been under way for four months and preliminary results are promising. Residential home staff have commented on the extra level security they feel in being able to "summon" medical support for residents for whom they may have concern. Patient's relatives have also commented on the reassurance they experience from knowing that the resident is being monitored.
authors.affiliation: Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bratan
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003195:Computer Communication Networks / Q000295:instrumentation; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000458:organization & administration; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*; D006113:United Kingdom