Aerotel reveals new mobile health systems at Medica 2009

Aerotel Medical Systems presented for the first time two new wireless telehealth and homecare solutions at the Medica 2009 trade fair in Germany.

The two new innovative products are:

• Mobile-CliniQ - An affordable personal mobile health solution, which enables remote monitoring of various health parameters. It is a cellphone application that enables the transmition of medical data to a monitoring center.
  
  This innovative solution allows remote monitoring of electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure, blood glucose level, weight and other health parameters. By using Mobile-CliniQ, physicians can view patient data and provide interpretation and advice from practically anywhere, saving time and travel expenses and reducing healthcare delivery costs.

• Connect-CELL – A cellular-based homecare data hub that allows users to easily transmit vital signs data via the cellular network (GPRS) to a central monitoring center. The flexible global wireless connectivity hub incorporates both wired serial interface and wireless Bluetooth® connectivity.

The products were specifically designed to replace standard fixed systems and to allow elderly people benefit from higher mobility possibilities.

Medica, which is held in Dusseldorf on November 18-21, 2009, is the leading international trade fair for the medical industry. Aerotel presented at the trade show also other advanced telemedicine and telecare systems, including the Heartline tele-cardiology system, e-CliniQ homecare solutions and other systems.

Can home health monitoring help cure diseases in EU and the US?

Some 300 million people in the EU and the US currently suffer from welfare diseases, The question is which future medical services can provide a solution that will be both medically efficient and cost affective?

According to a published by research company Berg Insight, the answer to the question is the growing usage of home health monitoring, which has the potential to become a serious treatment option for these patients.

Berg Insight estimates that among welfare patients, about 25% would benefit from existing wireless home monitoring solutions available and another 50% would benefit from handset integration of existing medical devices.

The market for home health monitoring of welfare diseases grows on an annual rate of some 10 percent, according to Berg.

The report concluded that the market for these products, which was worth some $11billion in 2008, will continue to grow at a rapid pace in the near future. It noted, that despite the fact that wireless technologies have only just begun to penetrate the market, they have a huge potential.

The authors noted that the adoption wireless monitoring is driven by a wide range of incentives, related to demographics, technology development and new advancements in medical treatment.

They added that there are several potential catalysts that could speed up the adoption of cellular communication for healthcare monitoring purposes. These include increasing monitoring during clinical trials, insurance company requirements and growing popularity for nonprescribed medical monitoring.

The report said that, while the wireless medical monitoring services generates only neglectable revenue currently, the field shows great potential. The volume of traffic related to medical monitors will increase sharply in the next few years, as new web based services are being established.

How will President Obama's Health Reform impact wireless health care market?

President Obama's healthcare appeal is expected to lead to many changes in the US healthcare market. One interesting question is, which healthcare services will benefit from it most?

According to a recent report published by international research firm Parks Associates one of the main beneficiaries will be the market for wireless home-based healthcare applications and services, which is expected to reach some $4.4 billion by 2013.

The rapid rise is supported by the healthcare reform of the Obama Administration, which is expected to encourage the adoption of wireless technologies in healthcare and the promotion of technologies that improve healthcare efficiency.

The report, titled Wireless Healthcare: Analysis & Forecasts, indicates that the market will grow at a five-year cumulative annual growth rate of over 80%.

The study indicated that wireless technologies can benefit home care in areas such as chronic care management, medical diagnostic device monitoring, wellness and fitness applications, medication management, and senior independent living solutions.

Another report, published by Parks Associates in February 2009, showed that providers of personal health technologies such as health monitoring devices and personal health records (PHR) can generate over $460 million in revenue in 2013.

The research firm said that changes in the healthcare landscape, combined with health reform initiatives, are catalysts for accelerated technology spending over the next five years.

Should the US act to fasten the adoption of telemedicine solutions?

he market for telemedicine solutions is constantly rising but experts wonder whether the Washington should actively move to encourage the development of telemedicine solutions?

According to a report published by US Department of Commerce the answer to this question is absolutely yes. The report, which was written by International Trade Specialist Matthew A. Hein from the International Trade Administration, concluded that: "the time to raise telemedicine’s profile has arrived, so that patients across the United States and the globe can benefit from the efficiencies that telemedicine can provide in fulfilling healthcare needs."

Hain said that in the current environment of a shortage of healthcare professionals, greater incidence of chronic conditions, and rising healthcare costs, telemedicine offers a potential tool to improve efficiency in the delivery of healthcare.

He said that the need for telemedicine is supported by the following factors:

• Significant increase in the U.S. population

• Shortage of healthcare professionals

• Increasing incidence of chronic diseases

• Need for efficient care of the elderly, home-bound, and physically challenged patients

• Lack of specialists and health facilities in rural areas

• Adverse events, injuries and illness at hospitals and physician’s offices

• Need to improve community and population health

Hain concluded that telemedicine can play an important role in providing solutions to these challenges. He called on the U.S. Department of Commerce to play an important role in addressing barriers and to collaborate to deliver telemedicine products and services.

Aerotel introduces new telecare safety device in Switzerland

Aerotel Medical Systems introduced a new personal safety and location system in the Swiss market.

The system, GeoSKeeper™, which is offered in Switzerland under the brand name AlarmTouch™ GPS, is distributed by Swiss company GEBOA SA, a leading distributor of interactive mobile solutions and services for security, location and communication. The GPS-based personal telecare safety device is specifically designed to meet the special needs of seniors, children and lone workers.

A report published by Credit Suisse bank indicates that the percentage of those aged 65 years and over in Switzerland will increase from the current 15.4% of the population to 24.3% in 2030.

The AlarmTouch GPS can activate a warning signal or initiate a voice call in case of need, identifying the caller’s location in order to provide the user with immediate assistance.

The wearable personal safety phone enables user remain in close contact with their relatives or caregivers and get immediate help in case of emergency from a tele-assistance center.

AlarmTouch allows two-way voice calls and text messages with an advanced alerting system for enhanced personal security. The product is fully programmable over the air via a user-friendly Web-based interface.

The device has attracted much interest and was presented on the “Nouvo” show on Swiss French TV channel and on Euronews.