The Journal of Healthcare Informatics Research has published an article showing how advanced use of telecare takes the pressure off emergency care services by reducing ambulance mobilisations by 33.3%, despite the increasing age profile of the telecare service users. The independent research was undertaken by Ignetica Ltd (UK), and examines the impact of Tunstall Spain’s teleassistance service, which combines telecare monitoring and response, coordinates social care and third party services and delivers proactive outbound contact from monitoring centres. You can find out more in a recent blog by Wendy Hugoosgift Contreras, Director Monitoring Services for Tunstall Healthcare Group (see link below), which also contains a link to the full research paper: The Impact on Ambulance Mobilisations of an Increasing Age Profile of Telecare Service Users Receiving Advanced Proactive, Personalised Telecare in Spain – A Longitudinal Study 2014-18.
The true value of TECS lies ultimately in its ability to connect people. Although our healthcare systems might be different in each of our markets, service users’ needs to live life to the full in a place of their choice is universal. And we are proud to be able to support our customers on a global scale with the positive impact of the transition to advanced levels of telecare. Not only in avoiding costs but also in providing better support for users and carers to live safely and independently for longer.
Proactive and personalised telecare has already been proven to help older people stay independent at home for longer – supporting them to feel safer and more self-sufficient, delaying a move to a care home and helping local authorities free up millions in social care funding.
This recent article in the Journal of Healthcare Informatics Research, which is based on independent research, now shows how advanced use of telecare takes the pressure off emergency care services by reducing ambulance mobilisations by 33.3%, despite the increasing age profile of the telecare service users.
Kristoffer Axelsson, Chief Commercial Officer commented on the article, saying “We have been developing advanced telecare in line with our transition strategy to Tunstall Cognitive Care® to deliver unique care for each and every individual using data driven technologies to not only respond to incidents and predict illness but in the future to also prevent them from happening. This study underpins the great work of our teams and forward-thinking partners on this journey so far to support people to live independently for longer in a place of their choice.”
This longitudinal study of a telecare service user population in Spain (n=202.1k to 247.9k) was undertaken using anonymised real-world data collected in the delivery of proactive and personalised telecare services over the period 2014-18. A characteristic of the proactive and personalized telecare service is to avoid or reduce critical situations arising through an integrated approach of risk stratification, outbound calls, follow ups, home care visits, along with advice and guidance, to provide broader and more holistic support for service users and their carers. However, whenever a personal emergency does occur, the Monitoring Centre (or Response Centre) triages the alarm and mobilises the most appropriate response based on the situation. As a result, data is routinely collected on mobilisations for all service users, including ambulance mobilisations.
Independent research by Ignetica Ltd (UK) has now identified the positive correlation coefficient between ambulance mobilisations and service user’s dependency levels, and marginal negative correlation in older age bands. Indeed, the share of those over 85 years in the high dependency level decreased. Meaning that while people stay longer in the service and grow older in the service, their need for ambulance mobilisations still reduces significantly and that the service may also have helped ensure those continuing to live independently remain in lower risk bands.
The article is just the latest evidence of how by using TECS to connect people. Technology has the potential to help solve real world problems.
To read the full article click here.
More information on the wider study and outcome framework can be found in the Transformational Potential of Telecare Whitepaper.
Discover more about Tunstall:
Tunstall has been at the forefront of technology innovation for the health, housing and social care markets for over 60 years. Its pioneering software, hardware and services enable new delivery models which can transform community-based health and care, and empower people to live independently and with an improved quality of life.
Tunstall works with social care providers, healthcare services, housing and retirement living providers and charities in 22 countries, improving the lives of millions of people, including those living with dementia, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and long-term health conditions.
Tunstall’s Connected Care and Health solutions are underpinned by IP enabled platforms and infrastructure, supporting the innovative use of technology including IoT, SaaS and cellular communications. It offers an end-to-end solution, including training and consultancy, service and maintenance, and monitoring services which make care more proactive and personalised, harnessing the power of digital technology to deliver care and support services fit for the future.
