Customer West Moreton Health, Queensland, Australia
Challenge
Results
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Philips and West Moreton Health developed Mobile Enabled Care (MeCare), an innovative program that combines technology, in-home support and education to empower patients and help enable early intervention when needed. Since the introduction of MeCare in mid-2016, West Moreton Health has seen a reduction of 28% in potentially preventable hospitalizations[4], and patients report improved confidence and mental health.
Melinda Parcell Executive Director Community and Rural Services, West Moreton Health
West Moreton Health serves a population that is forecast to grow by 113% between 2016 and 2036[1], with the number of chronically ill patients also expected to increase dramatically.[2,3] The West Moreton area, which includes metropolitan and small rural community settings, has a relatively high percentage of people with low socioeconomic status (45%). The population shows lower than average attendances at general practitioners and specialist consultants, yet much higher than average emergency department visits, adult hospital admissions and potentially avoidable hospitalizations.[6] 46% of deaths are considered to be premature.[3] West Moreton Health was looking for a way to help patients with chronic conditions achieve better health and wellbeing, while keeping the cost of delivery of services sustainable over the long term.
In 2016, West Moreton Health formed a partnership with Philips to introduce MeCare, a program that uses Philips’ eCareCompanion telemonitoring platform and tailored health management plans to help chronically ill patients take control of their own health.
Melinda Parcell Executive Director Community and Rural Services, West Moreton Health
Melinda Parcell, West Moreton Health’s Executive Director Community and Rural Services, explains: “MeCare is specifically targeting patients with complex conditions who typically have spent a lot of time in hospital. With in-home technology, they can measure and record daily health targets such as blood pressure and weight, and speak each day with a nurse without having to leave the comfort of their home.” “Patients also have access to a wider support team including a doctor, physiotherapist, psychiatrist and pharmacist,” Ms Parcell adds. “That means clinicians can intervene early if a patient’s health is showing signs of deterioration, often circumventing the need to go to hospital – which is a real win for people.”
Sources: 1. Calculated from the 2016 estimated resident population (ERP) for West Moreton using SA2 level reporting (http://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/ products/tables/erp-sa2-qld/index.php) and compared with the SA2 level population projections available via http://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/products/tables/proj-pop-medium-series-sa2-sa3-sa4-qld/index.php 2. Source: https://www.ddwmphn.com.au/attachments/DDWMPHNHealth-Needs-Assessment.pdf 3. Source: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/539016/hhhs-profiles-west-moreton.pdf 4. Compared to a baseline average of potentially preventable hospitalizations without the MeCare program. 5. Compared to a pre-MeCare trend. Without intervention through MeCare, the emergency department visits for this group were predicted to continue to increase. 6. Source: http://wmhhs.blob.core.windows.net/media/1004/communityhealth-profile.pdf Results are specific to the institution where they are obtained and may not reflect the results achievable at other institutions.
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