Importance

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Abstract

A system for the automated remote monitoring of home health parameter measurement activities to assure outpatient subscriber compliance with prescribed measurement schedule regimen, and to alarm-monitor for off-normal measurements. Typical monitored health parameters include blood pressure, blood glucose level, clotting factor, and the like. The system comprises at least one subscriber remote station which interfaces with a communications link, and a central monitoring station also interfaced with the link and operative to receive and analyze messages transmitted by the remote station. The preferred remote station embodiment transmits measurement outcome messages to the central station each time an interconnected health parameter measurement device generates a signal indicating whether the current measurement is 'normal' or 'in-alarm', based on uniquely specified alarm criteria. Central station hardware/software verifies receipt of such signals within each of the subscriber's uniquely scheduled measurement time windows, and alerts alarm dispatchers to take pre-specified action if a scheduled measurement is forgotten. Dispatchers are also alerted if 'in-alarm' measurements occur. Alternative remote station embodiments accept monitoring device signals corresponding to health parameter measured values. One alternative embodiment performs alarm monitoring in the remote station, another performs alarm monitoring at the central station. All embodiments provide subscribers with help-buttons to initiate transmission of alarm messages to the central station in event of emergency. Since the central station is alerted if any scheduled measurement is missed, no immobilizing emergency can go undetected longer than the maximum time between consecutively scheduled measurements.

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First Claim