EILEEN SIEGEL | Registered Nutritionist
NICOLE KEATY | CVHHH RN Telehealth Manager
Jessy Jacobs of Barre wants to be able to see clearly again. But until she can get her diabetes under control, cataract surgery has to wait. In the meantime, she’s working to regulate her insulin routine as part of an innovative Diabetic Telemonitor Program, a collaboration between Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH), and the medical center.
“Diabetes is a nasty illness,” said Jessy. “I take five shots a day. I have five needles, so it gets sore sometimes.”
Using a telemonitor device in her home, Jessy records her vital signs and sugar levels, which are then relayed to a CVHHH Telehealth Nurse. She’s hoping the machine will help inspire her to follow through with her insulin shots and make her more aware of her food choices. The telemonitor is one piece of a larger collaborative care coordination model, which includes a CVHHH nurse case manager, a community health team coordinator, a CVMC diabetic educator and a mental health case manager. The interdisciplinary team meets monthly to discuss patients, assess progress, troubleshoot challenges, celebrate successes and identify needs for external supports.
A pilot for the program began with 14 telemonitors installed in the homes of “at-risk” patients – many of whom had reported frequent hospitalizations or emergency room visits.
“The program yielded impressive results. 86% of clients did not have an emergency room visit during their first year on the program,” said Sandy Rousse, CVHHH CEO, “In addition, we developed shared teaching tools and improved communication and collaboration between providers and clients.”
Jessy hopes the machine will make her more accountable. “If I need to report it to somebody, then I need to be doing it. Having the responsibility means I have to follow through.”