Home Telemonitoring

The CHRISTUS HomeCare telemonitoring program is an innovative service for patients at risk for hospitalization, newly diagnosed with a chronic disease or those who would benefit from daily evaluation by a licensed nurse. The program includes daily remote vital sign monitoring and assessment, telephone intervention, and customized education. Telemonitoring supplements the home nursing visit schedule for eligible patients.

Each day, the monitor guides the patient through steps to collect vital signs or other physiological measurements specific to the patient’s needs. It also gives opportunity for the patient to indicate symptoms that he or she may be feeling that day. The data is transmitted to the local agency office, where it is reviewed by a licensed nurse and tracked for significant changes. The nurse responds with telephone intervention that includes further assessment, teaching, or communication with the patient’s physician as needed.

The telemonitoring program supports patient learning through specific teaching sessions, telephone guidance, and reminders about medications or prescribed dietary restrictions.

Home telemonitoring helps all members of the health care team, including the patient, to catch problems early before they turn into emergency needs. The goals are to decrease hospital admissions and help the patients manage their health care at home.