The CSIRO has released its long-awaited report into home monitoring of chronic disease, which shows that a modest investment in home monitoring technology, allied to risk stratification tools and remote monitoring by telehealth nurses, could save the healthcare system up to $3 billion a year in avoidable admissions to hospital, reduced length of stay and fewer demands on primary care.
The report, Home Monitoring of Chronic Disease for Aged Care, is the result of a six-site study funded as part of the Department of Health's $20 million telehealth pilots program, which was originally set up to test the healthcare capabilities of the National Broadband Network (NBN).