Royal Philips Electronics commissioned a survey that supports the belief that devices allowing doctors to monitor patients’ vital signs in their homes could lower health care costs and allow them to live at home rather than move to nursing homes. The survey included groups from six countries, and most believe that health care provided in the home could lessen pressure on the current health care systems.
Currently, there isn’t enough evidence that this technology is cost effective or ready for widespread adoption. A study from the U.S. Veterans Health Administration in 2008 showed a significant reduction in the number of days patients were hospitalized when using remote monitoring equipment, and there was also a reduction in hospital admissions for these patients. Currently this is the best evidence to support the theory that these technologies are cost effective.
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