The University Hospital of Getafe includes telemedicine research in geriatrics.

-Are expected to participate some 130 elderly

-the speed of progress or blood pressure are some of the variables that are measured

Spain, 2011-September the University Hospital of Getafe, belonging to the public network of hospitals in Madrid, has initiated a research project in which the patients themselves participate actively through telemedicine. Led by geriatric service, the objective of the study is to assess the usefulness of some of the clinical and functional markers, and determine the efficiency and effectiveness of such monitoring to improve the control and monitoring of elderly patients with heart failure.

This disease is currently the second leading cause of hospital admission in the elderly, only in 2010 was attended at the University Hospital of Getafe 111 patients over 80 years.

To carry out this project have been distributed among the patients involved twelve aircraft of telemedicine are connected via bluetooth to a mobile phone, so that they themselves are responsible for measuring 48 hourly certain variables such as blood glucose, blood pressure and oxygen saturationan electrocardiogram, respiratory rate, the speed of progress, the time it takes to get out of a Chair, weight, and temperature.

In addition, they respond to a simple questionnaire that assesses basic aspects about their State of health and evolution. The mobile phone collects the information and it is stored in a computer program, so that the doctor consulted daily results via online and if you find any noticeable alteration, depending on the seriousness of this contact by telephone with the patient or comes to visit him immediately.

This allows also have a very accurate and complete history on the evolution of the patient and the usefulness of long-term treatment, which in addition will allow assessing whether there is any indicator that stand out above the rest and a good clinical marker.

Since its launch in March, a year ago has already involved 40 patients and he is expected to pick up information of 130 patients. Despite the age of patients and the need for in many cases with the collaboration of their caregivers, the devices have a simple and intuitive design and participants receive prior training.

Interhospitalaria collaboration

Telemedicine – assistance medical distance through the use of computer or telephone – is becoming increasingly frequent and is useful especially in elderly patients with mobility difficulties then avoid their displacement to the health centre and speeds up the treatment and control of their disease.

Several studies already confirmed its usefulness in terms of efficiency, reduction of hospital stay and decrease of the consultations, which is a synonym for a good clinical evolution.

Currently the University Hospital of Getafe has an area of multi-disciplinary telemedicine involving services of Radiology, dermatology, geriatrics, orthopedic surgery and radiology. connected specifically with the Virgin Poveda Hospital, this unit has done over the past seven months 202 consultations, which has avoided the transfer of the patient and a faster solution to their health problem, being also the first unit of telemedicine through the standard of quality ISO 9001-2008 certified