VNA TeleHealth: Ed's Story

The anxiety involved when someone's health is in question can be exhausting for the patient and family to deal with. Questioning every symptom soon becomes the core that daily life revolves around.

For 83 year-old Ed, this was just the way of life. Ed and his wife, Ida, from Independence have battled with his heart condition for years. In 1990, Ed underwent triple bypass surgery and was recently diagnosed with end stage COPD. After being in and out of hospitals, Ed's doctor ordered home health care from Visiting Nurse Association (VNA), which enabled Ed and his family to benefit from the TeleHealth Home Monitoring program.

Effortless Technology

The program includes a simple, easy-to-use monitor that enables patients with serious chronic conditions to automatically measure and transmit their daily vital signs (weight, blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation) to VNA for review by a skilled nurse. If needed, the nurse contacts the patient and provides clear instructions for necessary action.

For Ed, this new monitor seemed like just another piece of technology at first. He wasn't aware of how much it would impact his life. Eventually it would become a part of his daily routine and even save his life.

"The nurses that came and put the monitor in were great," Ed says. "There wasn't even anything to learn. The machine talks to you and tells you everything you need to know. It even tells you which button to push."

Fewer E.R. Visits

Before the VNA telehealth monitor, Ed became very uneasy and anxious whenever he wasn't feeling well. The uncertainty was very stressful for him, so he and Ida would make several trips back and forth to the hospital, often unnecessarily. With the monitor, he can check the status of his vitals at any time of day, so he can feel more certain about whether or not there's any cause for alarm.

The one necessary hospital trip was made in reaction to the monitor results. The monitor showed a significant drop in Ed's blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen level. Before long, he was admitted to the hospital for observation. He is certain the VNA home monitor saved his life.

Ed advises everyone who could benefit from the monitor to talk with their physicians as soon as possible. "It would be foolish not to use this monitor. With the monitor I didn't have to worry about going to the hospital every time I felt bad. I just checked in with my machine."

Ida explains how the monitor alleviated her stress as well. "It helps him feel better when he knows what his heart rate and blood pressure are. He tends to get a little hyper and needs to know what the problem is. The telehealth monitor helps me remain calm because the readings put his mind at ease."

Peace of Mind

For Ed and Ida, having the monitor and support from VNA is a big relief. Ed says there is no doubt in his mind that it has helped reduce his anxiety and unnecessary hospital trips. "If everyone had one, then people wouldn't be making unneeded trips to the hospital. If my experience is anything to go by, I think it would decrease hospital visits by at least fifty percent."

Today Ed takes more precautions with his health. He pays more attention to the way he feels and has stopped tasks he shouldn't be doing. "It used to bother me to have Ida push me in a wheelchair at the grocery store. Now, I don't think twice about it because it's something that I need to do. The monitor has changed my way of thinking. It's helping me live my life in healthier ways."