REMOTE HEALTH

Improving patient care via long-distance monitoring

THIS WEEK: Mental health patients A NEW tool the size of a credit card has been developed to help remotely monitor mental health patients for cardiac problems caused by antipsychotic medication.

Developed by AliveCor KardiaMobile, the device is a portable electrocardiogram (ECG) — it allows healthcare professionals to take accurate readings of a patient’s heart rate without them needing to go to a hospital. The assessment, which can be done in their home, is also less intrusive and saves time. The results are sent to the clinical team via Bluetooth to a mobile phone or tablet — the readings can then be analysed to decide whether a patient’s treatment needs to be changed. The device is currently being used in Yorkshire and the North East, reducing heart check delays.