April 23, 2009
Significant Savings with Telecare in Scotland
A recent evaluation report has shown that a telecare program in Scotland has delivered significant cost savings and is improving health and quality of life for users. The report shows that the telecare initiative, outfitting 7,902 people with telecare equipment, saved the healthcare system more than £11m in 2007 and 2008. Here is a link to the full report.
April 22, 2009
SCI Solutions Network
The SCI Solutions Network (a Canadian organization devoted to improving the lives of people living with SCI) has recently included a story about ReJoyce. Here’s an excerpt from the article:
“…Restored hand function,” says Dr. Arthur Prochazka, “is at the top of the wish-list of people with tetraplegia—and also many people who are partially paralyzed due to stroke and multiple sclerosis.” Even small improvements in hand function, says Prochazka, can have huge implications, such as becoming employable or being able to live more independently without full-time attendant care. Besides the obvious quality-of-life improvements for individuals who are able to regain some hand function, there’s also potentially significant cost savings for Canada’s health and employment insurance programs…”
“…The solution, reasoned Prochazka, was to somehow allow the participant to perform the regimen in the comfort of their own home. And that’s exactly what he and a dedicated team of young scientists, therapists and engineers have achieved with the ReJoyce—a unique system that combines FES with in-home tele-rehabilitation (or teletherapy)….”
You can see the full article here.
ReJoyce and Electrical Stimulation Study
The University of Alberta (Edmonton, Canada) is still recruiting subjects for a Phase III study of ReJoyce in combination with an electrical nerve stimulator for the hand. They use our ReJoyce Telehomecare System to enable supervision of a home-based rehabilitation protocol. The study is recruiting subjects suffering quadriplegia as a result of SCI (Spinal Cord Injury).
For more information about the study, click here.
April 21, 2009
FCC Announces Telemedicine Funding
April 20, 2009
Oregon Senate Passes Telemedicine Bill
On April 8, 2009, the Oregon Senate passed a bill that will expand telemedicine programs in Oregon. The bill requires health insurers to cover the telemedical equivalent of health services already covered by their plans. You can find the complete article here.
April 17, 2009
Online Care and the Reduction of Health Care Costs
A study released in September, 2008 suggests that online health care services may reduce the cost of employer-sponsored health plans. The study suggests that savings could lie between $3.36 and $6.95 per member, per month.
Other studies, like this one and this one, have also demonstrated that telehomecare could lower the overall cost of healthcare significantly.
April 16, 2009
Intel and GE Embrace Telemedicine
Here is an interesting article about GE and Intel’s new partnership to create new technology and devices for homecare and telemedicine applications. The following summarizes of the article’s main points:
- GE and Intel are teaming-up to “computerize home-based healthcare.”
- GE Healthcare and Intel are already supplying devices and technology into the market, including Intel’s Health Guide product.
- Telemedicine and Home Monitoring market is anticipated to more than double by 2012
- Telehomecare is ideal for people suffering chronic illness, which accounts for 80% of most Western countries’ healthcare expenses
- Patient monitoring is considered to be a major part of the initiative
April 14, 2009
ReJoyce in the News
Two of our pilot projects have recently been announced in the news. I’ve included some links below:
We’re extremely excited to be a part of both projects. These are the first major adoptions of remote homecare and Internet-based rehabilitation in Canada.
The SCI Solutions Network is a national pilot project for people suffering spinal cord injuries. It includes bases of operation in several cities across Canada including Vancouver, Edmonton, and Montreal. If you would like more information, please contact us.
