| March 23,
2005
MGHS reveals web-based system for area heart patients
to check defibrillators from home, on vacation
For
the first time in the Upper Peninsula, cardiologists are able
to evaluate patients with implantable cardiac
devices over the Internet without requiring them to leave the convenience
of their homes.
Marquette General Hospital is the first health system in the Upper Peninsula
to offer the Medtronic CareLink Network, an innovative system that delivers
web-based remote device checks, allowing physicians to follow their patients
from far away.
The new technology is available to people with a Medtronic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
(ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy ICD system for heart failure. St.
Jude, another ICD company that Marquette General works closely with, also offers
similar services to Upper Peninsula patients.
“Having the ability to check devices over the Internet enhances our connection
with patients and provides them with a level of convenience so our cardiologists
can manage their heart condition,” said Dr. Mark Cowan, a cardiologist
on staff at Marquette General who specializes in defibrillators and pacemakers. “It’s
exciting to be at the forefront of offering such innovative technology to build
on our patient care.”
The system consists of a patient monitor, a website for clinicians, and a website
for patients and their loved ones. The monitor is a small, easy-to-use device
that allows patients to transmit information by holding a small computer, mouse-like “antenna” over
their implantable device. The entire process takes between five and 10 minutes.
The monitor reads physiologic data (heart rhythm) similar to data obtained
during an office visit. It then automatically dials a toll-free, pre-programmed
number to send the information to the Network via a standard, home telephone
connection. Pacemaker Clinic staff and physicians at the Upper Michigan Heart
Institute at Marquette General then review their patients’ data by logging
onto the website from any Internet-connected computer or laptop.
“From there,” Dr. Cowan said, “we can make immediate decisions
about the patient’s care needs. We can access a comprehensive view of how
the individual’s heart and device are working. And, if we need to, we can
make adjustments to the patient’s medication or prescribe additional therapy.”
Thomas Landree of Ontonagon is a big proponent of the new device. It doesn’t
matter where Landree is when he needs to have his defibrillator checked. That’s
because the Ontonagon man is one of many patients of the Upper Michigan Heart
Institute who can now log on to a secure website instead of traveling to a
cardiologist’s office.
“It saves me very much time and energy,” Landree said. “The
data transmitter for my defibrillator/pacemaker is something I have dreamed of
since the installation of my device. The total time it took to use the online
service was 45 minutes, and that was after reading the directions. Before, because
of travel time, it took the entire day for the same checkup.”
Because patients can transmit critical data from their heart using a standard
phone line from home, work or while on vacation, they needn’t worry about
time-consuming travel to a physician’s office for device monitoring.
“The system saves patients time and is an added convenience for patients,” Dr.
Cowan said. “Even if patients go away for long periods of time, we can
still keep close tabs on them.”
For more information about the remote checking of defibrillator devices, call
Dagmar Raica, Program Director of the Upper Peninsula Heart Institute, at 225-4942
or 1-800-562-9753, ext. 4942.
For more information about the heart institute,
visit its website at www.mgh.org/heart/heart.html.
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