Remote patient monitoring system for older rural population – pilot project in Sisak Moslavina County

Background and Purpose: The aimof this study is to evaluate the use of EriscssonMobileHealth (EMH) system for rural, distant, older, chronically ill patient monitoring in SisakMoslavina County in the region of ASSC. The aim is to evaluate quality, patient satisfaction, health care provider satisfaction with EMH system as well as possible obstacles and points for possible cost savings. Materials and Methods: The solution we tested is Ericsson Mobile Health (EMH), a mobile medical device of class IIa, composed of several components that include package for patient, server and applications. Package for patient includes several sensors depending on type of monitoring, communication device and expendable material. Package for patient consists of sensors for Pulse Oximetry (SaO2), Electro Cardio Graph (ECG), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1), Blood Pressure (BP) and Blood Glucose Level. Communication device is central part of patient package. It collects sensor measurements available via Bluetooth interface and it sends themtowards server available viamobile network.Doctor access to server and browse through patient data using application for doctors. As amethod for evaluationwe used interviews with open-ended questions for both patients and medical personnel. Data were analyzed using qualitative conventional content analysis. Results: Common denominator in all interviews with patients was feeling of security and possibility of quick intervention if needed. Also, they felt they can substantially save on transportation. Medical personnel observed mainly technical objections regarding devices. As for benefits they recognized continuity of care, easy access to primary care, responsiveness to specific patients needs, in one visit field nurse can cover group of patients, and accurate data for decision making. Conclusion: EMHis adaptable and secure systemthat can reduce costs of health care in distant rural areas both for population and health care system. Direct link with primary health care provider contributes to the patient’s feeling of security.