Recording Test Results with Home-Based Medical Equipment

Advancements in home-based medical equipment and Internet technology have had a positive impact on the both patients and clinicians around the world.

Electronic medical records are expected to revolutionize the way medical offices manage the flow of patient information, and allow patients to easily access their medical charts from home. While detractors may worry about the privacy issues inherent to any online database, the benefits of electronic health management far outweigh the costs.

A good example of how electronic medical records will be of value in patient care is the increase in available home-based medical equipment for patients with chronic illnesses. Instead of traveling to and from the doctors’ office for frequent testing, many patients will opt to take advantage of miniature Bluetooth-enabled medical devices that perform the same type of monitoring from home. Using a miniature handheld pulse oximeter or glucose monitor, for example, a patient’s test results can be instantaneously transferred to a web-based medical record at their doctor’s office.

Some of the challenges to this type of monitoring include the graphically detailed nature of data that is transmitted. Some of the more complex tests, such as ECGs, involve the transmission of a waveform, which can present challenges if the data arrives in an incomplete form. However, by using some new products like USB isolators, a more reliable connection can be established between the patient monitor and the clinician’s office.

As medical equipment and home monitoring systems become more advanced, it is expected that more and more patients will take advantage of the ease and convenience of Bluetooth-enabled devices for many diagnostic tests.

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