Home hospitalization of heart patients

The overall objective of the research project was to explore, develop, and empirically implement the concept of home hospitalization for heart patients by means of telehomecare technology. In the project the heart patients were transferred from traditional hospital admissions to home hospitalization. Included in the study were patients with heart failure, arrhythmia, and patients up for medicine adjustment. They were included in the project on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria, but they were typically past the acute phase of their condition. The research issue was explored in a case study involving the cardiology ward at Vendsyssel Hospital in Frederikshavn, Denmark, and district nurses in the Municipality of Frederikshavn.
By means of wireless equipment the district nurse collected and transmitted data on blood pressure, pulse, weight, INR and electrocardiograms (ECG) from the patient's home to the hospital. Via a joint web-portal the healthcare professionals at the hospital and the district nurses could enter data on blood pressure, pulse, weight, and INR. When the district nurse was taking an ECG recording, she could write a brief commentary about the patient's symptoms and transmit this information to the hospital. The staff at the hospital received the ECG recording in an e-mailbox. The doctor could analyse the ECG by means of a software application.
The research issues are twofold, namely patient observations, experiences and attitudes in regard to the application of telemedicine technology and opportunities and barriers in the implementation of telemedicine interventions in the interaction between the primary and secondary health sectors.
Gratitude for making equipment and know-how available goes to RTX HealthCare A/S, KMD A/S, Roche Diagnostics A/S, and NorDiaTech A/S. The research project was funded by Spar Nord Fonden, Det Obelske Familiefond, and Jyske Bank.