title: Telehome monitoring in patients with cardiac disease who are at high risk of readmission.
abstract: Patients with chronic conditions are heavy users of the health care system. There are opportunities for significant savings and improvements to patient care if patients can be maintained in their homes. A randomized control trial tested the impact of 3 months of telehome monitoring on hospital readmission, quality of life, and functional status in patients with heart failure or angina. The intervention consisted of video conferencing and phone line transmission of weight, blood pressure, and electrocardiograms. Telehome monitoring significantly reduced the number of hospital readmissions and days spent in the hospital for patients with angina and improved quality of life and functional status in patients with heart failure or angina. Patients found the technology easy to use and expressed high levels of satisfaction. Telehealth technologies are a viable means of providing home monitoring to patients with heart disease at high risk of hospital readmission to improve their self-care abilities.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario.
authors.forename: A Kirsten
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Woodend
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sherrard
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stuewe
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Struthers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006331:Heart Diseases; D006333:Heart Failure; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017216:Telemedicine