{"id":138195,"date":"2024-06-21T07:19:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-20T21:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/?p=138195"},"modified":"2024-06-21T07:19:00","modified_gmt":"2024-06-20T21:19:00","slug":"remote-monitoring-could-help-improve-regional-healthcare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/remote-monitoring-could-help-improve-regional-healthcare\/","title":{"rendered":"Remote monitoring could help improve regional healthcare"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Elizabeth Habermann<\/span><\/p>\n

Data-driven healthcare could revolutionise medical care for regional Australians thanks to an innovative new service, ObservaCare, made possible by the quality and reach of the nbn<\/a> network.<\/span><\/p>\n

ObservaCare is a remote-patient monitoring system tracking patients’ vital signs via wearable technology hoped to facilitate early detection and intervention for health issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

This advancement not only reduces the need for long commutes to medical appointments but also provides a comprehensive view of patient health over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Without data, doctors are flying blind so this takes away that issue,” ObservaCare founder and rural doctor Rod Martin said.<\/span><\/p>\n

“At a glance we can see what the past two months looked like for someone and scroll through it in 60 seconds. You can capture trends and get a much richer sense of what is “normal” for a patient, what is a blip and what is a deterioration over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

“When I worked in Queensland I’d have patients who drove two hours for a 15-minute appointment and I’d only get one chance to take vitals. You can’t see trends with that measurement.”<\/span><\/p>\n

To capture the data, patients wear a watch that tracks vitals and uploads the data to healthcare professionals or a chest patch can be used if ECG monitoring is required.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The upload doesn’t use a huge chunk of data or speed so we can put it on patients no matter what type of internet connection they have,” ObservaCare co-founder Deborah Martin said.<\/span><\/p>\n

The entire premise of ObservaCare was made possible by the existence and quality of the current nbn network.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We couldn’t have conceived of ObservaCare without nbn,” Deborah said.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We rely on quick data download and upload for our service, without it we couldn’t develop our service.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We have a tremendous opportunity to capitalise on the existence of the nbn network to help solve some of the bigger problems like the healthcare gap between rural and metropolitan Australia.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
ObservaCare captures the patient’s vitals using a watch-like device and creates trends giving a richer sense of the patients health and changes over time. Picture supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A small trial of ObservaCare in an aged-care facility proved the power of data tracking.<\/span><\/p>\n

One resident who was non-verbal had a spike in blood pressure and pulse rate 45 minutes before the ambulance was ordered. It turned out he had a kidney stone.<\/span><\/p>\n

“That change in vitals tells me he is in pain but he couldn’t tell anyone,” Rod said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not only did the data tracking indicate the resident’s pain before it was visibly noticeable but it also gave staff data to back their observations.<\/span><\/p>\n

“These workers see patients on a regular basis and they are intimately aware of changes and know when they’re off,” Deb said.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Trying to communicate “a little off” with a busy GP doesn’t carry a lot of weight and doesn’t mean action will be taken so they could see the value of this data to help communicate their concerns to doctors.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The next stage of ObservaCare is a larger-scale trial of 200 to 250 patients using 50 devices provided a grant can be secured.<\/span><\/p>\n

Patients within the Armidale region and surrounds will be selected to use the devices with the data fed back to their doctors.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We want to see what difference it makes to patients and if they get to higher-level care earlier,” Rod said.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Early intervention is a cheaper intervention. People don’t end up in intensive care, or as an inpatient for as long.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Results will showcase if the data-driven approach helps regional Australians access healthcare faster.<\/span><\/p>\n