Remote monitoring could give patients better care at home

The use of a smart new device to monitor patients’ health could improve the care they receive at home and help them spend less time in hospital.

Two six-month trials of the BioSticker, an FDA-approved wearable data-gathering device, are underway in Counties Manukau, involving 50 patients and another 10 in South Canterbury. The separate trials will test the device’s application and effectiveness with patients in both urban and rural settings.

The South Canterbury trial was officially launched at an event in Timaru in August, with the Minister of Health Andrew Little in attendance.

“Technology has the potential to really change the way we do things – to do things that are better for patients and at the same time ease pressure on the health system,” said Minister Little.

BioStickers are 85mm long, made of soft flexible material and are worn on the upper left chest. They capture medical-grade data, such as skin temperature, heart rate and respiratory rates, body position, activity level and gait analysis, which is transmitted to the medical professionals who are treating the patients.

“What we are already hearing from our people in the study is that they’re feeling a lot more confident that they’re not needing to go to ED, or they’re accessing healthcare when they want to,” said Ruth Kibble, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, South Canterbury project sponsor.

“It’s given me confidence and reassurance knowing what’s happening with my health,” said Janet Steven, one of the South Canterbury trial’s participants.

“Within a day Janet felt more relaxed and her anxiety reduced as she was being monitored by our Hub. She also likes that she can review her own clinical parameters on the mobile app and her support person also gets a report daily of the clinical parameters.” said Ruth Kibble.

Sixty people are already using the device across Counties Manukau and Timaru. The trials are expected to run for six months and will involve up to 250 patients.