Philips announces release of National Study on home healthcare technology and telehealth

Co-sponsored by NAHC and Fazzi Associates, the survey of home care agencies reports an increase in quality outcomes, reduction in unplanned hospitalizations, and rise in patient satisfaction associated with telehealth services

Published: 04/08

ANDOVER, MA, USA - (HealthTech Wire) - Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHI) today released the final results of a survey conducted by Fazzi Associates of nearly 1,000 home care agencies in the United States. Results of the Philips National Study on the Future of Technology and Telehealth in Home Care show that nearly one third of large agencies are currently using a telehealth system and that industry use of telehealth is expected to double over the next two years, principally as a means of managing patients with chronic disease.   In addition, over 88 percent of agencies report that telehealth services led to an increase in quality outcomes, as evidenced by a reduction in unplanned hospitalizations and ER visits, and over 71 percent report an improvement in patient satisfaction.

Co-sponsored by Philips, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), and Fazzi Associates, this first-of-its-kind study gathered insights about the use of home care technology from nearly 1,000 agencies across the U.S.  The study represented all major segments of home care: large and small, rural and urban, free-standing and hospital-based, and for profit and not-for-profit.

“What makes this study so important is that it is the first representative sample study on technology and telehealth in home care that has ever been undertaken,” said Val Halamandaris, president and CEO of NAHC.  “We now have a much clearer sense of how specific segments of home care are responding to and using these technologies.  One finding that is particularly significant is that the utilization of telehealth by home care agencies also correlates directly with providing the highest quality of care.”

“Philips Home Healthcare Solutions was pleased to sponsor a study of this magnitude that could provide insights to advance the home care industry, as well as share these findings at no cost to the field,” said Mike Lemnitzer, senior director, Philips Telehealth Solutions. “We believe that home health agencies will be a critical part of the solution to the U.S. healthcare crisis and ensure a continuum of care from the hospital to the home.”

According to Dr. Robert Fazzi, project co-director, the Philips study was designed to address questions that are most on the minds of agency leaders about the role of four major home care technologies: human resources and billing systems, point of care systems, electronic medical records, and telehealth systems.  Given the importance of telehealth to the future of home care and hospice agencies, much of the study focused on the various types of telehealth systems being used, the components of these systems, what agency leaders liked and disliked about their systems and most importantly, what leaders felt were the most significant impact of these systems on various aspects of quality and financial outcomes. Among the findings were:

• 17.1 percent of agencies use some type of telehealth system.  A much higher percentage of large agencies (32.0%) report that they provide telehealth services.
• 88.6 percent report that telehealth led to an increase in quality outcomes:
• 76.6 percent report a reduction in unplanned hospitalizations
• 77.2 percent report a reduction in emergency room visits
• 71.3 percent report that telehealth services improved patient satisfaction. No agency reported that it reduced patient satisfaction.
• 83.9 percent state that less than one in ten patients refused a home telehealth system.
• 79.2 percent of patients or family members were reluctant to have the telemonitoring system removed.
• 42.8 percent report that telehealth led to a reduction in cost. A similar number reported it as cost-neutral.
• 63.5 percent report that telehealth had no impact on clinical caseloads. As more agencies use telehealth and move up the learning curve, clinical productivity measures may increase
• 49.7 percent report telehealth decreased on-site visits
• 45.2 percent report telehealth increased the number of referrals
• 56.9 percent report that their nurses were very receptive to having a telehealth service after one year as compared to 36.3 percent at the beginning of the program.
• 89.1 percent stated that given everything they know today, they would still have started their telehealth program.

To receive a copy of the full report, go to: www.philips.com/HomeCareStudy.

Philips has been active in telehealth for over seven years, and has recently focused on the home care market after its acquisitions of Lifeline and Healthwatch, both in the medical alert business.  In 2007, the company announced a preferred provider contract for telehealth solutions with the Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA) and a GPO agreement with the California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH). Building on core competencies in cardiac care, Philips offers comprehensive Home Telehealth products and services, featuring wireless measurement devices and robust web-based clinical support for post-hospital discharge monitoring. For more information about Philips telehealth solutions, email telemonitoring@philips.com or visit www.medical.philips.com/goto/telemonitoring.