Assessment of a telemedicine innovation in cardiology. (17th December 2009)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Masella, Cristina; Zanaboni, Paolo
• Is Part Of: International journal of healthcare technology and management. Volume 10:Number 4/5(2009)
• Page Start: 325
• Page End: 339
• Publication Date: 2009-12-17
• Subjects: assessment -- cardiology -- chronic heart failure -- telemedicine innovation -- telemonitoring -- clinical management -- chronic diseases -- home care -- healthcare technology -- biventricular ICD -- implantable cardioverter defibrillators -- remote monitoring -- clinical utility -- technical feasibility -- economic implications -- customer satisfaction; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Management -- Periodicals; 610.28
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-2156

Abstract

Recently, in all of the national health systems, the need to keep health costs under control and to assure high-quality standards shifted the attention from hospitals to primary cares, territorial structures and patient homes. In this context, telemedicine represents a strong feature to satisfy the need for new clinical management approaches allowing patients with chronic diseases to effectively receive care in a home setting. The application of new telemedicine services always requires an assessment that considers, on the one hand, the responsibility of healthcare manufacturers in supplying high-quality and user-friendly technologies, and, on the other hand, the responsibility of healthcare organisations in providing cost-effective telemedicine services. In this context, this work aims at assessing the adoption of a remote monitoring service for follow-up examinations of chronic heart failure patients implanted with biventricular implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The assessment is conducted through a complete framework that explores the clinical utility, the technical feasibility, the economic implications and the customer satisfaction.