Broadband Innovation Fund

Remote Patient Monitoring - Patient Case Study


Technology helps Vicki take control of her health



Having a remote patient monitor at home has given kidney disease patient Vicki Cosson, an Aboriginal woman from Mildura, added motivation to seek a second chance at life.

When Vicki was diagnosed with end stage kidney disease in late 2006 she admits the future looked fairly bleak.

Like many Aboriginal people she was at greater risk of developing the disease than other Australians, and faced further health complications, regular dialysis and a shortened lifespan.

But after being given a remote patient monitor 12 months ago by Craig Millard, a care coordinator with the Hospital Admission Risk Program (HARP) at Mildura Base Hospital, Vicki found the determination she needed to dramatically alter her future by changing her diet, losing weight and preparing for a kidney transplant.

What it does

Since late 2006, more than 30 patient monitors have been distributed across Mildura and Robinvale in north-western Victoria, to people with chronic illnesses such as heart and lung disease, diabetes or kidney disease.

The technology is provided by HARP, with funding from Victorian Government agency for information and communications technology, Multimedia Victoria.

In Vicki's case the monitor is hooked up using an ordinary telephone line, which she uses once a day to measure her blood pressure, heart rate, body weight and blood sugar levels. The data is then transmitted overnight to a central database, via the internet, which Craig can access remotely.

How it works

"I use the monitor every morning before breakfast for about 20 minutes," explained Vicki who has the machine in pride of place in the kitchen.

"It was a little bit hard to remember what to do at first but its part of my daily routine now and it's really very easy to use. It makes me feel more in control of my health because it gives me a chance to see how my blood pressure and sugar diabetes is going."

The benefits

Since using the monitor Vicki's kidney function has stabilised and her overall health has significantly improved. She has also avoided dialysis which was originally expected within three months.

"When I was first diagnosed I was very concerned about my weight and my blood pressure but I didn’t know what to do. The monitor has given me the focus I needed. Before my kidney trouble I weighed about 115 kilograms but now I’m down to 94 kilograms," said Vicki.

Successful weight loss has also reduced Vicki's blood sugar levels. "My sugar diabetes used to be high all the time but now it’s down to almost normal."

Vicki said taking her own readings on a daily basis had given her a better understanding of her own health and more motivation to eat healthily. "I've gone off a lot of stuff, especially dairy products and I feel a lot better in myself. I just didn’t care that much before but now I make sure I eat healthy every day including fruit and veggies and not too much sugar."

Knowing Craig was keeping an eye on her results also provided an extra incentive.

"He makes sure everything is ok with me. If my blood pressure is up he always checks I'm ok and we talk about what's been going on." Instead of seeing Craig every week, Vicki now sees him every two or three months, although they are in regular contact over the phone.

Vicki's family are calling in more often to see how she’s going too. "And I can't tell lies any more about what's been happening because it's all there on the machine."

Future opportunities

Although Vicki's kidney function has stabilised, over time it will gradually diminish so she is currently on the waiting list for a kidney transplant operation. The operation is only performed on patients who look after their health to give themselves the best possible chance of success.

"My husband has offered to donate one of his kidneys to me, which is incredible, but we can’t go ahead until we both lose a bit more weight. My goal is 85 kilograms which I’m determined to reach in a few months. I'll get there."