Panasonic enters the sector . . .
.. . from the October 3, 2000 issue of PC Magazine, Pipeline, Page 92:
MAKING HOUSE CALLS
The Doctor Is In: Health professionals may soon be able to monitor the condition of homebound or chronically ill patients remotely.
In the near future, homebound, chronically ill people may be spared many routine trips to their health providers. Panasonic Technologies is currently developing and testing a Web-based system that company calls "tele-homecare" technology. The system comprises three parts: a home unit called the Patient Terminal, the Doctor Terminal (or Central Nursing Station), and the Active Server, which coordinates between the two, delivering instructions to the patient and test results to the doctor. The terminals can be hooked up to the internet via any type of connection: DSL, cable, or telephone.
The Patient Terminal is a compact box with a configurable touch screen that lists all the tests a patient needs to perform. Voice instructions walk the patient through each test. The box opens to reveal the necessary medical equipment, including blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, thermometers, electrocardiograph devices, oxygen saturation sensors, and blood-sugar monitors. Once tests are completed, the results are sent to the Doctor Terminal. The Doctor Terminal graphs the results and warns of any alarming changes. For less urgent instructions and questions, patients and doctors can communicate via e-mail or video phone through their terminals.
Panasonic Technologies isn't sure just when tele-homecare technology will be ready for deployment; the company is still completing testing and awaiting FDA approval.
--- Carol A. Mangis |
