Patients with heart failure usually have to visit the hospital regularly for check-ups. These are, of course, snapshots. A patient who gets complaints in the interim will have to contact the outpatient clinic himself so that action can be taken if necessary. Measuring at home offers several advantages. Firstly, it provides many more control moments, so that both the patient and the practitioners get a better grip on the condition.
Benefits home measuring app
Another important advantage is the limitation of the number of physical check-ups in the hospital. The measurements that the patient performs at home – blood pressure, heart rate, weight and any complaints – are sent directly to a nurse specialist via the home measurement app. In addition, the patient also regularly fills in a questionnaire via the app about how he or she is feeling, whether there are complaints such as shortness of breath or shortness of breath and about following a healthy lifestyle.
In the event of deviating values, the nurse of the Deventer Hospital will contact the patient by telephone to see what needs to be done together. If necessary, the nurse specialist will consult with the cardiologist. Patients who start using the home measurement app receive extensive information in advance about how home measurement works in practice. The Deventer Hospital has opted for the Luscii app for this monitoring solution.
Expansion of digital care (remotely)
Initially, a relatively small group of 20 patients suffering from heart failure will be started. With that start, the hospital wants to gain sufficient experience with remote monitoring of this condition. When the first phase with the limited group of patients goes well, it is the intention that more patients will be monitored in this way. Patients who qualify for this are registered by the cardiologist, nurse or nursing specialist.
Earlier this year, after a successful pilot, Deventer Hospital decided to deploy the BeterDichtbij communication app in all departments. The start with home measurement for patients with heart failure is yet another step towards more digital, appropriate care.