Band Aids Get Smart

Posted: 06/25/09 by Allison Remsen

San Diego-based West Wireless Health Institute announced this week the clinical trial underway on a new remote heart monitoring system using Band Aid-like patches to send readings through a Bluetooth connection to the patient's smartphone.  From there, data are transmitted to a doctor's office where physicians are alerted to irregularities.  The patient and doctor have access to up-to-the-minute monitoring of heart rhythms, body temperature and breathing rates-- all key elements in life-saving diagnostics. Where else is the savings?  Your wallet.  An estimated $21 billion in emergency care and nursing home costs are saved every year just by remotely monitoring patients who have had congestive heart failure, diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  Now that's a Band Aid!