[brian]

When the phone rings late one snowy afternoon in John Lescovich's home, he flips on a contraption and a cheery nurse pops up on the screen.

“I had two small slices of pizza today,” he admits immediately. Even from 40 miles away, the 59-year-old Grafton resident knows he can't lie; she'll be checking his vital signs in a few minutes and may even ask him to dangle the camera over a scale to check his weight.

Facing a national nursing shortage and skyrocketing costs, a growing number of health care providers are using video monitoring to check in on patients.

Operated through a phone line, “home telecare” devices are hooked up to stethoscopes and blood pressure and oxygen readers that transmit results to a remote station monitored by a nurse or doctor. The technology saves providers time and gets patients timely attention without ever having to leave their homes, advocates say.

Though there is little hard data tracking its growth, there is mounting evidence that home telecare is spreading quickly.

more: http://www.auburnpub.com/articles/20...ews/news04.txt

[Brita01]

One of these days we're going to technologize ourselves right out of jobs. At least out of the good ones.

[Marie_LPN]

Technology is no substitute for a nurse being physically present for the pt.

[pickledpepperRN]

Originally Posted by Marie_LPN

Technology is no substitute for a nurse being physically present for the pt.

Right! There is plenty of hard data to support your statement!

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

Yeah, this is getting creepy.

"Now take off your clothes for the skin assessment, please...."

[SFCardiacRN]

I can see a place for it. Think rural Alaska. Home health care by sled dog or bush plane sounds time consuming. Of course, it can't replace home visits completely.

[grinnurse]

Although I agree with the statement that "it could never replace having a nurse physically present", I do see how this could be a benefit, especially in rural areas and with the geriatric clientelle. Of course they would have to be mentally competent or have a family member that could call in etc..

I could also see where this type of thing could lead to lots of lawsuits as well.

I would suspect this will grow at a fast pace as the baby boomers age. For the most part, this population is "somewhat" computer literate and would I think find it advantageous, cost effective, and convenient.

I see this as an extension of the services now being offered by the insurance companies that have the "Ask a nurse" program.

Just my two cents!!

[Jessy_RN]

I dont' like the idea.

[funnynurse]

Welcome to the future!
Telehealth gives nurses who are not able to work in facilities the opportunity to still practice nursing. Especially for those poor nurses who have health problems and can't tolerate the rigors of floor work. It would be great for stay at home nurse moms, still wanting to contribute!

[SMK1]

Originally Posted by Future_RN_Jess

I dont' like the idea.

We always said that can't export nursing jobs. Well folks here is the beginning of just that. (obviously not all can be exported)