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Telehealth Technology Provider WebVMC Increases Growth By 400 Percent in 2006

Posted on: Wednesday, 14 March 2007, 09:01 CDT

WebVMC, a leading provider of anytime, anywhere telehealth technology that is software-based, saw its sales boosted by nearly 400 percent in 2006 due to extensive software feature enhancements to its original monitoring technology solution.

The company's RemoteNurse™ unit has increased its market share via an easy-to-use, software-based system which offers users greater flexibility, accessibility and connectivity on a variety of platforms including the Internet.

"WebVMC's RemoteNurse system is now in 19 states," said Bill Behnke, chief development officer for WebVMC. "We also just signed a partnership agreement with a leading supplier of telehealth solutions in the United Kingdom who will represent our product there and in E.U. nations, so we definitely feel we are going to continue with this growth and expansion of our line."

Now recognized as an industry leader in telehealth solutions, WebVMC recognized early on the need for innovative solutions to monitor an aging population, especially those with chronic illnesses. That recognition, combined with the speed and adaptability of product production and development, enabled them to create a system that provides better care for patients via the Internet. Customers of WebVMC have reported significant savings to their programs through reduced hospital readmissions, fewer nursing visits and improved medication adherence.

"Customers recognize the value of the software-based system in its ability to be connected in any vertical or setting and on multiple platforms that can be accessed anywhere, anytime," noted Scott Sheppard, president and chief technology officer of WebVMC. "It can actually notify clinicians when there is a problem so they can make an early intervention and head off a possible re-hospitalization or unnecessary emergency room visit."

During 2006, a number of software enhancements were made to WebVMC's telehealth system that required no additional expense or hardware upgrades to clients, including:

Branching logic -- A patient session now consists of customized questions, measurements and educational content, and additional question types such as multiple choice and range scales.

Audible questions and answers - Both questions and answers are now audible to patients who may be visually impaired.

Additional languages - French, Russian, and German translation have been completed for all questions/protocols and measurement instructions.

Additional measurement devices -- Ascensia Contour glucometer; Ascensia Breeze glucometer; Nonin Finger clip pulse oximeter (these and other measurement devices can be attached to any port on the RemoteNurse).

Patient Calendar - A patient calendar has been added to the Remote Access web site to allow easy scheduling of reminders.

Customization -- Ability to program for every patient and illness.

Unlimited patient capacity at kiosk -- The RemoteNurse kiosk can be used to monitor an unlimited number of patients at one location. The kiosk capability enabled pioneering programs like those at the Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center in Ahoskie, North Carolina to bring health care to one of the most disadvantaged populations in the U.S. through screening and monitoring at schools, churches, and community centers as well as in the home.

Videoconferencing -- Enabled by a video phone that works over POTS and IP networks, and runs on the same RemoteNurse software.

At Senior Independence, a division of Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services, WebVMC technology was a critical component of their innovative program in preventive care designed to help seniors stay independent and continue to live at home.

Karen Ambrose, Director of Senior Independence for Mahoning Valley, reported positive feedback about the ease of use of the RemoteNurse from clients at their senior center in Youngstown, Ohio. "Many of them use it to check their blood pressure two or three times a week. All they have to do is swipe their card at the kiosk and the unit asks how they are feeling, if they've taken their medications and any other questions incorporated into the program by the nurse. It's really helped to cut down on the number of office visits our clients have to make to their physicians."

Sheppard confirmed that further enhancements to the basic technology will continue in 2007 and beyond to maintain WebVMC's position as the more sophisticated and yet easy-to-use system on the market. "We will encompass such areas as patient event tracking, online medication library and video education content," he said. "Additionally, we are planning to update our Web site to include more content and information about our many products and services."

About WebVMC:

WebVMC provides virtual healthcare technology using the Internet to manage care for the person with a chronic illness, connecting the patient, caregiver and clinician for 24/7 disease management from any location, in multiple healthcare delivery systems--home care, hospitals and assisted living facilities. With innovative capabilities, such as audio tracks, touch-screen access and instant messaging, WebVMC's products are user-friendly, comprehensive solutions that cost-effectively manage patients with chronic illness for better health status and better quality of life. For more information about WebVMC, visit www.webvmc.com, or contact Bill Behnke, (210) 240-9400, billbehnke@webvmc.com.

Source: Business Wire

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