Geisinger Health Plan recently announced that a telehealth-based remote monitoring program for heart failure patients has significantly cut the readmission rate for those patients by 44 percent. The program uses interactive telemonitoring tools to supplement case management. Over 1,000 patients are enrolled in the program. The majority of patients use the tool to input symptomatic information on a regular basis, allowing care managers real-time access to the patient's condition. Based on its success, Geisinger plans to extend the program to diabetes and hypertension patients. This, my friends, is the future for all cardiology chronic disease outpatient care.

Don’t miss these sessions at ACC.12 and ACC-i2 with TCT in Chicago that focus on remote disease management, H2H and readmissions:

• Can Remote Disease Management Improve Clinical Outcomes? Saturday, March 24, 2 – 3:30 p.m. (McCormick Place South, S406a)
• Tools to Improve the Care Transition: The Hospital to Home (H2H) Experience Sunday, March 25, 8 – 9:30 a.m. (McCormick Place South, S501a)
• Improving Outcomes and Reducing Heart Failure Readmissions Monday, March 26, 3:45 – 5:15 p.m. (McCormick Place South, S406b)