|
About the TLC Project
The TLC Project is the first complete trial of Tunstall telehealth in Australia. Championed by Ipswich Community Aid, the project will involve members from the local community with chronic conditions and investigate the effects and benefits of daily monitoring on the individual as well as benefits to the healthcare system.
The project will run for 18 months with each participant using the system for a period relevant to their condition and needs.
The project will focus on four different patient groups:
1 Cardiac 2 Respiratory 3 Endocrine 4 Other
Purpose of the TLC project
The TLC Project we will demonstrate that there is a workable and affordable solution ready to be implemented and support the Australian health system.
The TLC Project aims to prove the implementation of telehealth solutions will:
· Improve effectiveness of treatment regimes.
· Reduce cost of care.
· Increase quality of care.
· Decrease emergency episodes for people with chronic diseases.
· Encourage collaboration between health care partners for the patient’s benefit.
· Increase awareness on behaviors affecting individual health.
· Actively involve patients in their own health management.
· Create greater feelings of safety for a patient within their own home.
Get involved
If you are currently living with a chronic illness or are a health care provider and would like to participate in the TLC Project, please register your interest.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth is a proactive method of measuring an individual’s health in the comfort of their own home. It involves the client being engaged in their care by regularly taking their vital signs, such as heart rate, weight, oximetry, blood pressure and more.
Once this data is collected it is transferred via phone line to a central secure database for review and monitoring by a clinician or response centre. The data is assessed and compared to the client’s ‘normal’ or desirable readings. Abnormal readings are referred to the client’s practitioner for further analysis or action.
As well as involving the client in their own health, this regular collection of data provides a more complete picture that quickly identifies abnormalities. It also offers trend data and the ability to more easily and accurately adjust medication to suit the client’s condition.
Cost effective and easy to use, it is ideal for case management, long term and chronic disease management and early hospital discharge.
How does telehealth work?
A telehealth unit is usually installed in a client’s home. At preset times throughout the day the unit will signal that it is time for the client to take their vital signs.
The telehealth unit will prompt the client with the action that needs to be taken, such as ‘place the pressure cuff on your arm above your elbow, and rest it as instructed’. When the vital signs have been recorded the unit will then ask a series of preset questions relevant to the client’s health.
Once the client’s vitals have been recorded the unit will transmit the data before returning to sleep mode.
Project Aim
The TLC Project aims to prove the implementation of telehealth solutions will:
· Improve effectiveness of treatment regimes.
· Reduce cost of providing healthcare.
· Decrease emergency episodes for people with chronic diseases.
· Encourage collaboration between healthcare partners for the patient’s benefit.
· Increase awareness on behaviors affecting individual health.
· Actively involve patients in their own health management.
· Create greater feelings of safety for a patient within their own home.
Project Partners
Ipswich Community Aid
Ipswich Community Aid is a not for profit organisation that provides a range of services and sources funding to help members of the community. Their programs include:
· Home visits and support services; support services and products that monitor the client’s safety, health and personal wellbeing.
· Rural transport services; transport to people living in rural areas to attend medical related appointments.
· Community visitor scheme; a friendly visitor for lonely or socially isolated residents living in aged care facilities that
· ICA shop assist; transport and assistance with shopping needs.
· Safe and confident living program; information and community education for seniors on safe living practices.
· CommunICA; a friendly phone call to isolated clients.
· ICA mobility plus; sells mobility aids to assist with independent living.
Supporting approximately 8,000km square, Ipswich Community Aid assists people living in Esk, Boonah, Laidley and Ipswich.
| 
