Stockport Council has funded an app in a bid to reduce COVID hospital admissions and monitor patients in care homes.
The app, delivered by Mastercall and developed by Norwegian company Dignio, enables the council to monitor patients after being released from hospital and back into their homes or care homes.
The platform collects data about a patient through a virtual monitoring hub by asking them questions about whether they have COVID symptoms before monitoring their temperature and oxygen levels, and arranging for a video call or visit from a nurse if deemed necessary. It enables users to be monitored remotely and detect early signs of deterioration.
The data is traffic-light rated to allow a response to the individual needs of each patient, and the Technology Enhanced Living (TEL) service has been used to support early patient discharges from hospital.
Councillor David Sedgwick, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Citizen Focus, said: “The use of innovative digital technologies was fundamental to our approach to care during the pandemic here in Stockport. By harnessing these technologies, we were able to get appropriate help to residents much more quickly and safely when they needed it the most.”
“We hope to continue to use TEL to monitor and assess other seriously ill patients, allowing them to stay in their homes with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that they will be admitted to hospital as soon as it is necessary, and that swift action is able to be activated as needed.”
Michaela Buck, CEO of Mastercall, added: “We are delighted with the impact the TEL service is having in supporting patients to live well at home. The health outcomes and benefits are staggering but what is most important is that patients feel more empowered: the service reduces anxiety and stress especially during the challenges of COVID-19.”
“The Dignio platform allows our amazing team of health care professionals to act immediately when a concern is identified, enabling an immediate clinical response.”
“Introduction of our innovative digital clinical service has resulted in national interest from the NHS and received clinical digital innovation recognition from various healthcare award bodies – HSJ, Medilink, INetwork, NHS in the North; this highlights our commitment to digital inclusion and innovation supporting our patients in Stockport.”
“We are grateful to Stockport Council for their commitment to investing in digital technology to revolutionise health outcomes and benefits for our citizens. This is an exciting journey of discovery and benefits.”
