New wearables trial allows COPD patients’ to be monitored at home

New wearables trial allows COPD patients’ to be monitored at home (digital health)

• NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have begun to trial remote monitoring of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) patients with the use of wearable technology and Microsoft’s Azure.
• This is being carried out in partnership with KenSci and Storm ID, through which the trust can leverage Azure’s cyber security and digitally-enabled care model capabilities.
• The use of wearables can lead to fewer COPD patient admissions and free up thinly stretched NHS resources. Currently, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde alone sees 10 COPD patients per day and costs average £6,000 per admission.

Analysis and comments

• Wearables and telemedical solutions can and will help reduce healthcare related costs, particularly costs associated with the monitoring and treatment of chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes).
• Population ageing is putting a strain on healthcare systems globally and an increasing number of chronic conditions are being linked to age.
• Given that most people when surveyed said they would rather be treated in their own homes (unsurprisingly), I see remote patient monitoring as a key technology to containing the growth of healthcare costs.