CSC eMEDlink® allows patients with long-term conditions (LTCs) and chronic diseases to be treated at home, receiving the same care and treatment as if they were admitted into the hospital. By following patients closely, with virtual ward rounds and ad hoc consultations, it helps reduce waiting times and costs associated with unplanned admissions, outpatient clinics and patient transport. Virtual monitoring also reduces the precedence of readmission following hospital discharge. CSC eMEDlink® has the capability to support the following conditions: COPD, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, mental health, obesity palliative care, post-operative care, pregnancy and stroke.

Patients using CSC eMEDlink® at home are provided with an easy to use modified wireless netbook that connects with different types of devices to monitor vital signs such as blood pressure or lung function. This allows them to capture their own readings, which are then communicated to clinicians to review and monitor their patients' conditions. The intelligent system creates alerts for patients' readings that exceed pre-determined thresholds, so that clinicians can take the appropriate action.

Among the European population, 30.9 percent have long-standing illnesses or health problems, with major and chronic diseases causing more than 86 percent of deaths in the EU(1). For example, research in the UK shows that long-term condition patients use disproportionately more primary and secondary care services - 52 percent of General Practitioner appointments, 65 percent of all outpatient appointments and 72 percent of all inpatient bed days(2).

CSC eMEDlink® increases patient access to speciality services, without the restrictions of physical distance. The reduced requirement to arrange transport and visit the hospital, allows for increased independence and quality of life, as patients can set and achieve goals around self-care, increasing proactive personal management of their condition and improving health outcomes. Patient confidentiality is also protected through secure storage of information including video consultations. Freddy Lykke, managing director, CSC European Healthcare Solution Centre, which developed the telemedicine platform, commented: "CSC eMEDlink® is a powerful solution in the way that it encompasses all three components of telemedicine: video consultation, the ability for patients to take their own measurements and the ability to present data back to patients, not only those provided by them but also all data held by medical providers. Combining this solution with other data means that telemedicine is not an isolated island. Very few telemedicine solutions on the market today offer such capability."

Another key benefit of CSC eMEDlink® is that it is a standard web-based software solution which is flexible, easy-to-use and offers excellent value. By reducing unplanned patient admission, hospitals will be able to make considerable savings when the cost of admitting a patient is about 3000 Euros.

Dr. Harald Deutsch, vice president, CSC Healthcare EMEA, concluded: "Aging is one of the greatest social and economic challenges of the 21st century for European societies. By 2025, more than 20 percent of Europeans will be 65 or older, with a rapid increase in the number over the age of 80. As a result, the percentage of people with LTCs is most likely increase. At a time when health budgets are restricted and governments want patients to have more choice and take control of their care, the use of telemedicine seems an obvious solution to many health challenges with which our societies are faced."

To arrange a demonstration on the CSC stand, please contact:
Susan Venables - Mobile: +44 7971 166936 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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About CSC Healthcare EMEA
CSC Healthcare EMEA is part of the CSC Global Healthcare Group, which serves both private and public sectors around the world. As a leading provider of interoperable, scalable IT healthcare solutions CSC is transforming healthcare with better information for better decisions. Working with health ministries and healthcare providers across the region CSC Healthcare EMEA helps to drive reform and rise to the challenge of delivering a digitised health service. Spearheading the development of its product range is the CSC European Solution Centre which is complemented by CSC's global Innovation Centres.

Currently the EMEA group has healthcare operations in more than 11 countries, employing approximately 3,000 healthcare experts. As part of a global group it is supported by an extensive partner network and provides substantial experience of national healthcare markets.

About CSC
CSC is a global leader in providing technology-enabled solutions and services through three primary lines of business. These include Business Solutions and Services, the Managed Services Sector and the North American Public Sector. CSC's advanced capabilities include system design and integration, information technology and business process outsourcing, applications software development, Web and application hosting, mission support and management consulting. The company has been recognized as a leader in the industry, including being named by FORTUNE Magazine as one of the World's Most Admired Companies for Information Technology Services (2011). Headquartered in Falls Church, Va., CSC has approximately 93,000 employees and reported revenue of $16.2 billion for the 12 months ended December 31, 2010. For more information, visit the company's website at www.csc.com.

1. Data from the European Union
2. UK Department of Health (2008)