Verizon approached us asking to create a solution for improving healthcare for underserved communities. We identified that one major obstacle is lack of access to care. 79% of ER visits are due to lack of access to other medical professionals. Providing virtual access and keeping patients out of the ER for non emergencies became our goal. Our solution is Vitalize, a device that takes vital sign and glucose level readings and uploads them to the patient’s electronic medical record using a cloud based medical record system.
The Vitalize meter is a handheld device that uses sensors of the handle to take vital sign and glucose level readings. The device also has a screen for the patient to view the readings and to be able to video chat with a medical professional. To receive the device, a physician writes a prescription and the patient can pick it up at a pharmacy.
The patient takes regular vital sign and glucose level readings, and if the readings go past a certain range, the primary care physician’s office is alerted. A nurse in the office can call to check in on the patient.
We propose that the device and network capabilities are paid for by the patient’s insurance company. The average ER visit costs over $1300, so patients using the vitalize meter to monitor their chronic health condition can avoid using the ER for non emergency visits, saving the insurance companies a thousands of dollars.
Vitalize is a viable solution for individuals who need help monitoring their health.
