Tele-assistance in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: long term activity and costs

Vitacca, Michele; Comini, Laura; Assoni, Giuliano; Fiorenza, Domenico; Gilè, Sonia; Bernocchi, Palmira

doi:10.3109/17483107.2011.652999

Cited by 41 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The functional limitation of patients with severe neuromuscular diseases and dependence associated with muscle weakness makes avoiding having to travel a crucial factor [7]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

– New methods Telemedicine system for the care of patients with neuromuscular disease and chronic respiratory failure

Zamarrón¹,

Morete²,

González³

2014

aoms

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionNeuromuscular diseases cause a number of limitations which may be improved by using a telemedicine system. These include functional impairment and dependence associated with muscle weakness, the insidious development of respiratory failure and episodes of exacerbation.Material and methodsThe present study involved three patients with severe neuromuscular disease, chronic respiratory failure and long-term mechanical ventilation, who were followed up using a telemedicine platform. The telemedicine system is based on videoconferencing and telemonitoring of cardiorespiratory variables (oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure and electrocardiogram). Two different protocols were followed depending on whether the patient condition was stable or unstable.ResultsOver a period of 5 years, we analyzed a series of variables including use of the system, patient satisfaction and clinical impact. Overall we performed 290 videoconference sessions, 269 short monitoring oximetry measurements and 110 blood pressure measurements. With respect to the clinical impact, after enrolment in the telemedicine program, the total number of hospital admissions fell from 18 to 3.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that the system was user friendly for patients and care givers. Patient satisfaction scores were acceptable. The telemedicine system was effective for the home treatment of three patients with severe neuromuscular diseases and reduced the need for hospital admissions.

show abstract

“…The functional limitation of patients with severe neuromuscular diseases and dependence associated with muscle weakness makes avoiding having to travel a crucial factor [7]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

– New methods Telemedicine system for the care of patients with neuromuscular disease and chronic respiratory failure

Zamarrón¹,

Morete²,

González³

2014

aoms

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In addition, tele-health has the potential for local and community-based services to engage with the MDC in real time and to partner the MDC in the decision-making process 77,78. In the case of respiratory care, the benefits of tele-health for ALS patients have been reported 79,80. The setting and monitoring of invasive81 and non-invasive ventilation82 where the parameters for clinical assessment can be downloaded from a remote location have strong application in a tele-health model of care.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: improving care with a multidisciplinary approach

Hogden¹,

Foley²,

Henderson³

et al. 2017

JMDH

141

107

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, leading to death within an average of 2–3 years. A cure is yet to be found, and a single disease-modifying treatment has had a modest effect in slowing disease progression. Specialized multidisciplinary ALS care has been shown to extend survival and improve patients’ quality of life, by providing coordinated interprofessional care that seeks to address the complex needs of this patient group. This review examines the nature of specialized multidisciplinary care in ALS and draws on a broad range of evidence that has shaped current practice. The authors explain how multidisciplinary ALS care is delivered. The existing models of care, the role of palliative care within multidisciplinary ALS care, and the costs of formal and informal care are examined. Critical issues of ALS care are then discussed in the context of the support rendered by multidisciplinary-based care. The authors situate the patient and family as key stakeholders and decision makers in the multidisciplinary care network. Finally, the current challenges to the delivery of coordinated interprofessional care in ALS are explored, and the future of coordinated interprofessional care for people with ALS and their family caregivers is considered.

show abstract

“…Given that there were no significant differences in outcomes in the ALS patients no cost savings were demonstrated (43). However, according to the five year analysis, cost savings were made as nurses took over the roles of physicians with one nurse able to manage a caseload of 25 patients costing an estimated !105-108 per patient per month (47,49). Cost savings were also reported when the same telehealth system was used to detect respiratory exacerbations to supply Cough Assist machines (50).…”

Section: Costmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Two papers (48,49). It is unclear whether the same patients were involved in more than one of these studies.…”

Section: Tele-assistance In Patients With Chronic Respiratory Failurementioning

confidence: 99%

Using technology to improve access to specialist care in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A systematic review

Hobson

Baird

Cooper

et al. 2016

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Results were reviewed and interpreted by all authors and all authors were involved in Results: Two applications were identified: telemedicine to facilitate video conferencing as an alternative to outpatient consultations and telehealth monitoring for patients with respiratory failure. One randomised controlled trial using telehealth in patients with respiratory failure including 22 patients with ALS was identified.Whilst rates of hospitalisation were reduced, overall mortality was unchanged and there were too few patients with ALS in the study to detect significant benefit.Conclusion: There is limited evidence to support use of telemedicine or telehealth in the care of patients with ALS. Future research needs to develop an understanding of the key beneficial aspects of the traditional specialist ALS service and how these factors could be delivered using technology. Successful evaluation and implementation of technologies to facilitate access to specialist care will only be possible if all the relevant impacts of an intervention are understood and measured.

show abstract

Tele-assistance in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: long term activity and costs

Abstract: TAIC is a feasible tool to manage up to 25 ALS patients/month/nurse and costs about €105.00 per patient per month. Tele-assistance is proposed at 2/3 of time course of the disease.

Cited by 41 publications

References 20 publications

– New methods Telemedicine system for the care of patients with neuromuscular disease and chronic respiratory failure

– New methods Telemedicine system for the care of patients with neuromuscular disease and chronic respiratory failure

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: improving care with a multidisciplinary approach

Using technology to improve access to specialist care in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A systematic review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About