Technology comes to the elderly in the home of San José.

-the arrival of new information technologies applied to healthcare management has allowed that medical professionals can get to know, in real time and through remote access to the patient’s medical history, are pathologies of the user, your medical history, medication, etc.

Elx, August of 2011- the home of San José, better known as the asylum of Elche, seconded to the Department of health of the Vinalopó, managed by Bank health and Asisa and integrated into the network of public hospitals of the Generalitat Valenciana, has made significant changes in its management including the arrival to the center of the electronic medical history through a fully computerised healthcare management system which guarantees access to the medical history of the patient at any time.

In recent months, the institution has experienced care improvements that enable optimal care users, promoting the welfare of these and expanding its portfolio of services.

The arrival of new information technologies applied to healthcare management has allowed that medical professionals can get to know, in real time and through remote access to the patient’s medical history, are pathologies of the user, your medical history, medication, etc. This computerization of the consultation in situ contributes to specialists who visit the asylum users can have all the information of the patient, with consequent savings of time and effectiveness that entails, to avoid that users need to transport their reports and move out of the asylum.

The system allows that professionals have access to the requested image tests (x-rays, ecocardiogramas, magnetic resonance, etc.); It is possible to also see the results of laboratory tests, so it allows to attach them to the history of the patient in the Center, as well as any optional in the vinalopo Valley Hospital to request consultation between medical specialists.

Computer management support enables health care professionals can apply for additional exploration (analytical, testing, image, etc.), see full record revenue on ground or in the Emergency Department and, ultimately, have a vision of the patient integral in the Act, which is an advantage very important when making decisions ”, such as claim professionals working in the Center.

Professional medical care and technology

The Centre is an institution with 132 residents that, given the average age of them, has a profile of pluripatológicos patients with significant prevalence to cardiovascular, neurological and psychiatric pathologies. The asylum has psychologist, nurses, physiotherapist and support staff; In addition the sisters play an important role in the care of the elderly; According to Dr. Modesto Huertas, Coordinator of the EAP in the Pla-Vinalopó health centre and medical head of the asylum, the technological and human support is strengthened by the invaluable work carried out, from time immemorial, by the Sisters of the Centre, who every day, and tirelessly, they contribute in the care of patients, improving their quality of life and their conditions of welfare ”.

the work of professionals in the Centre is coordinated by the health care of a family physician, Dr. Modesto Huertas, responsible for the day-to-day functioning of health care in the Centre, acting as a backbone link of the work of professionals and specialists who come to the asylum, and through consultation, without interruption, once per week. The figure of the family physician is a key element in the management and care of patients, physicians care for pluripatológicos patients who are in a situation of pseudohospitalización of diverse etiology.

Thus, asylum patients receive the attention of the DRA. Paula Calvo Ramirez, internista physician liaison, who conducts assistance and consultation on the control of diseases of the elderly, continue to monitor patients in coordination with the vinalopo Valley Hospital. The presence of the internista doctor is a guarantee of pluripatológico patient control, given the prevalence of East type of users in the Center.

On the other hand, hospitalization at domicile (UHDTV) unit carries out important work in support for those patients encamados with pseudohospitalarios care of pustules evolution or terminals, fact which ensures a longer follow-up, if possible, of the elderly living in the Centre.

A psychiatrist’s link, Dr. Carlos Monera, head of service of the unit of the Department of Mental health, is responsible for the care support necessary to carry out the control of the psychiatric pathology. This medical professional attends weekly way asylum, attending the consultation of users and thus avoiding that patients should be abandoned his personal environment to go to the doctor.

Thus, it meets the objective that the patient with multiple pathology found in such centres may have a better quality of life, by controlling their medical processes in its immediate surroundings, avoiding the flare-ups and the subsequent hospital admission with the rootlessness that it is for the patient’s own.
In short, the latest taken from June 2010 allow a comprehensive continuing care and monitor overall patient, fact, together with the doctor of internal medicine, UHDTV and Psychiatry professionals support makes possible attention of the profile of chronic of the Centre.

A centre with history

The asylum of Elche, run by the Sisters of the destitute elderly ”, historically plays its role as a charitable institution residential and care for homeless elders of Elche. Currently, is attached to the Department of health in the vinalopo Valley, in particular, Center of health Plá-Vinalopó. In its recent history, from the health point of view, it was from October 2000 when it became under the health care of the Centre for health Pla from the Department of health 20 (Crevillente, Elche and Santa Pola); until then, it depended on the ambulatory of San Fermín in regard to primary health care.

During his tenure of the PLA, it was managed by doctors of the same, belonging to its auxiliary clinics of La Marina, in the first place, and later of La Hoya, moving then to be managed by physicians at the Centre, in its final stage, shortly before being transferred to the new Department which is currently attached.

Following the split in two of the Department, it became part of the new center of health Pla-Vinalopó, belonging to the Department of health in the vinalopo Valley.