Telemonitoring and home hospitalization in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: study TELEPOC.

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major consumer of healthcare resources, with most costs related to disease exacerbations. Telemonitoring of patients with COPD may help to reduce the number of exacerbations and/or the related costs. On the other hand, home hospitalization is a cost-saving alternative to inpatient hospitalization associated with increased comfort 15 for patients. The results are reported regarding using telemonitoring and home hospitalization for the management of patients with COPD. Methods: Twenty-eight patients monitored their health parameters at home for six months. A nurse remotely revised the collected parameters and followed the patients as programmed. A home care unit was dispatched to the patients’ home if an alarm signal was detected. The outcomes were compared to 20 historical data from the same patients. Results: The number of COPD exacerbations during the study period did not reduce but the number of hospital admissions decreased by 60% and the number of emergency room visits by 38%. On average, costs related to utilization of healthcare resources were reduced by €1,860.80 per patient per year. Conclusions: Telemonitoring of patients with COPD combined with home hospitalization may allow for AQ425 a reduction in healthcare costs, although its usefulness in preventing exacerbations is still unclear