Remote monitoring enhances case management for CHF patients, Aetna and Intel say

Adding remote monitoring to standard nurse care management can improve outcomes and lessen the need for hospital admissions for older patients with chronic heart failure, Intel and health insurer Aetna say. The two companies released preliminary results of their study at last week's America's Health Insurance Plans Institute in Las Vegas.

"Evidence shows that traditional nurse care management programs have improved outcomes and reduced avoidable hospital admissions among Medicare beneficiaries with CHF," Dr. Randall Krakauer, Aetna's national Medicare medical director, said in a press release. "Combined with frequent discussions with Aetna nurse case managers, we believe that members engaged in remote health management will be more successful managing their health."

The companies conducted a clinical trial among 315 Aetna Medicare enrollees with CHF. Of those patients, 164 were given Intel Health Guide, a remote monitoring system that combines a patient monitor with an online software suite for chronic disease management. This group also received weight scales and blood-pressure monitors that transmitted readings to the telemedicine system.

"While we are still in the process of reviewing the study results, we already know that there were several instances where the Intel Health Guide facilitated successful intervention," Krakauer said. "This includes timely attention to elevated blood pressure or weight readings, surfacing and addressing previous prescription drug errors, as well as facilitating timely engagement between the member and their physician or nurse case manager."

To learn more about this trial:
- read this Hartford Business article
- take a look at this CMIO story
- see this joint press release from Intel and Aetna

Related Articles:
Remote home monitoring makes nurses more efficient
Wireless home monitoring likely to become mainstream
New Intel device looks to innovate remote patient treatment