Telehealth Programme Set to Improve Management of Urinary Tract Infections and Reduce Costs

With the aim of reducing the number of patients presenting at secondary care, the Telehealth service in Cornwall and the Scilly Isles is being extended to trial the remote support of patients with recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Following initial assessment via a telemedicine centre, patients will perform a simple urine test at home using Roche Combur 5 test strips and a Roche Urisys™ 1100 point of care urinalysis meter. The patient dips the strip in a urine sample, places it in the Urisys 1100® meter and telephones the result to healthcare staff who can then initiate any required antibiotic therapy to be started at the earliest opportunity.

“Telehealth helps patients to manage their conditions more effectively.  It gives them greater independence and peace of mind, and has contributed to earlier diagnosis and treatment,” explains Dave Tyas, Telehealth and Service Improvement Manager at NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. “We are confident that this scheme will help to save the NHS money by improving patient care, making trips to the doctor more appropriate and, where possible, keeping people out of hospital. ”

In addition to supplying the Urisys 1100® meters, Roche has provided training for the customer technical support team in Bodmin, Cornwall, who will be responsible for the training and support of patients using the equipment at home.