Initial evaluation of a technologyenabled change in delivery of the dementia service during COVID-19 in North Warwickshire

Abstract

Background: Remote monitoring technologies show potential to help health professionals deliver preventative interventions which can avoid hospital admissions and allow patients to remain in a home setting. Aims: To assess whether an Internet of Things (IoT) driven remote monitoring technology, used in the care pathway of community dementia patients in North Warwickshire improved access to care for patients and cost effectiveness. Method: Patient level changes to anonymised retrospective healthcare utilisation data were analysed alongside costs. Results: Urgent care decreased following use of an IoT driven remote monitoring technology; one preventative intervention avoided an average of three urgent interventions. A Chi-Square test showing this change as significant. Estimates show annualised service activity avoidance of £201,583 for the cohort; £8764 per patient. Conclusions: IoT driven remote monitoring had a positive impact on health utilisation and cost avoidance. Future expansion of the cohort will allow for validation of the results and consider the impact of the technology on patient health outcomes and staff workflows.