Users get a 45-minute consultation that measures their blood pressure, cholesterol, and BMI to tell them their risk of developing diabetes, heart attack, or stroke in the next 10 years.
Then healthcare professionals use that information to explain what people can do to lower their risk, such as diet changes, exercising more, drinking less and other lifestyle advice that could help keep them healthy.
People from deprived backgrounds are less likely to visit a GP but are more likely to have heart and circulation related illnesses. K&C uses Telehealth Solutions' CardioPods to deliver the checks quickly yet comprehensively.
Project Co-ordinator Nowell Azougay explained: "I had someone who said he hadn't been to the doctor in 30 years, and his blood pressure was sky high. We make it a friendly service, and they get lots of information about what's going on in the borough, swimming, health trainers, it's more motivational than medical - it's getting to the point where they want to do it."
About CardioPod
The CardioPod is an easily portable system which facilitates the NHS Health Check. The system calculates a patient's chance of developing cardiovascular risk, using industry standard assessment tools, such as QRisk®2 or Framingham. The end result is a report into which any actions discussed with the patient can be added, with the aim of lowering the patient's risk score.
The touch-screen system comes complete with a set of scales and a blood pressure meter, with the added option of an LDX blood analyser. The ability to instantly capture these vital signs measurements means that the full Health Check can be carried out in one sitting. Furthermore, the networking capabilities of the CardioPod means that all data can be instantaneously and securely sent to all major practice management systems from any location.
About Telehealth Solutions
Telehealth Solutions, founded in 2006, is pioneering Telemedicine with high-quality, low-cost systems available for use in GP surgeries and pharmacies as well as within other institutions, commercial premises and private homes. Telemedicine is an emerging health opportunity, which utilises ever-improving technology enabling clinicians to have rapid access to medical data through telecommunications and information technology.
Telehealth Solutions provides a new self-monitoring service for patients. Capable of interfacing with GP systems, this flexible solution assists in enhancing the efficiency of a GP's surgery, allowing more time to be spent on high-value work and improving the service to patients. Telehealth Solutions can deliver an unprecedented level of efficiency and accuracy to doctors. The Telehealth Solutions products comprise a selection of vital sign collection devices including: weight scales, peak flow meter, thermometer, pulse oximeter, blood pressure meter, ECG, blood sugar and INR testers.
Information relevant to individual patients' conditions may be printed or displayed thus keeping patients better informed about the state of their health.