Positive results from Portsdown telehealth trial

Published: 23-May-2013

Study reveals reduction in hospital attendance and GP visits among patients with COPD


Early results from a telehealth study in Portsdown, Hampshire, has revealed an 85% reduction in GP home visits and a 57% reduction in unplanned hospital admissions.

The results are now being more closely studied, but early indications also show a 67% reduction in GP appointments and a 52% reduction in A&E attendance.

The study was carried out by Medvivo and started in April 2012. It looked at the effectiveness of telehealth from a patient and GP practice perspective, analysing patients’ use of NHS services 18 months prior to using telehealth, and then 18 months since having the interventions. The first results are derived from the first cohort of patients who are suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD).

Donal Markey, clinical director of telehealth at Medvivo, said: ‘We are thrilled at these initial findings. We firmly believe that a fully-managed service that includes case management by specialist telehealth nurses can have a significant effect on a person’s quality of life and help save the NHS substantial amounts of money. This is the first of a series of results that we will release as this case study continues.”

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