A
65-year-old male was referred to Telehealth for weight and blood pressure monitoring. The patient refused a remote weight scale,
but willingly accepted a kit containing a blood pressure cuff and transmitter
pod. Since July 25th, the
patient has consistently transmitted blood pressure readings to the Mosaic
Medical Prineville Clinic, performing checks up to five times per day. He is confident that he will complete the
three months of monitoring initially ordered by his provider, and looks forward
to the possibility of continuing use of the Telehealth equipment past the
scheduled discharge date.
When
questioned regarding his intention to remain in the program, the patient
stated: “I like it because I can keep track of my blood pressure instead of
having to worry about it. I don’t have
to find some place to go check it.” The
patient explained that prior to enrolling in Telehealth, he would seek out
places to check his blood pressure, making extra visits to his provider, or
driving to a pharmacy. This posed an
inconvenience, as he lives in a remote area.
Having just begun a new medication, he was increasingly concerned about
keeping track of his blood pressure - Telehealth allows him to do so conveniently. The patient has traveled with his equipment,
independently trying different locations for transmitter placement when in a
new area to ensure that the readings are sent.
The patient’s
only concern about the program is leaving for extended hunting trips, when he
will be unable to plug in the transmitter cell pod. Such a concern may be addressed by suggesting
that a patient continue to monitor their blood pressure under such circumstances,
even if they are not transmitted to the clinic.
Telehealth has enabled this patient to monitor his own blood pressure
regardless of his location, encouraging him to experience greater self-efficacy
regarding the management of his health.
No comments:
Post a Comment