Digital health technologies that enable remote patient monitoring (RPM) have demonstrated reduced hospitalizations by enabling more proactive and preventive care. Tracking patients’ vital signs and symptoms remotely can identify concerns before they escalate to requiring hospitalization. With preventive care, concerns can be managed through outpatient treatment rather than an emergency department visit or hospital admission.
This week’s research roundup summarizes a study of a digital health app called “Health Call” in UK care homes that reduced emergency department visits and unplanned hospital admissions for senior residents. The study presents data on cost savings driven by the reduced hospitalizations enabled by early intervention.
Digital Health Technology and Reduced Hospitalizations
A new study published in the journal Age and Ageing showed that mobile health technology significantly improved care and reduced hospitalizations for vulnerable older adults in care homes in the United Kingdom (UK.)Researchers across the UK analyzed data on over 8,700 residents living in 118 care homes in the North East of England between 2018-2021. The aim was to evaluate whether using a health app called “Health Call” could impact emergency hospital attendance and associated costs. The app allows staff to track residents’ health data and connect with clinical staff.
The findings showed that care home residents experienced 11% fewer emergency department visits after implementing Health Call. Moreover, a 25% decrease was observed in unplanned hospital admissions among residents using the app. Health Call also facilitated shorter hospital stays when admission was necessary, with app users experiencing an 11% reduced length of stay on average.
Ultimately, this data shows overall reduced hospitalizations. This effect grew over time, with the length of stay decreasing 28% month-over-month.
Cost Savings with Digital Health Technology
The economic analysis performed by the research team highlighted the cost savings associated with the reduced hospitalizations facilitated by Health Call. The researchers estimated national health cost savings of £57 per resident in 2018 when Health Call was introduced. By 2021, this figure grew to an estimated savings of £113 per monthly resident. Scaled up nationally across over 400,000 UK care home residents, first-year savings could reach £247 million.
This highlights the vast potential economic benefits if digital health technologies like Health Call are adopted more widely. The reductions in unnecessary hospital visits and costs are likely driven by monitoring residents’ health by care home staff, earlier intervention when issues arise, and improved communication within healthcare services enabled by the app. Together, this facilitates more personalized, proactive care.
While further research is still needed, the study adds to a growing body of evidence that digital health solutions could improve the quality of life for vulnerable senior individuals living in residential care settings. Achieving more care in place aligns with the preferences of many patients and families. The NHS is already taking steps to increase the adoption of technologies like Health Call over the coming years.
Understanding Digital Health Technology’s Role in Reduced Hospitalizations
The study’s findings underscore the transformative potential of digital health technologies like Health Call in improving the quality of care for vulnerable senior individuals while showing reduced hospitalizations and the burden on healthcare systems. Digital health solutions promote personalized, proactive care by monitoring residents’ health, enabling earlier intervention, and improving communication within healthcare services.
As the National Health Service (NHS) takes steps to increase the adoption of such technologies in the coming years, the future looks promising for reduced hospitalizations and improved quality of life for care home residents in the UK and beyond.
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