Mercy Community Health has received a grant of $90,000 from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) to implement a central telemonitoring system.  As a provider of health care services to Connecticut's aging population, Mercy Community Health is committed to improving the management of chronic illnesses among its clients of Mercy Community HomeCare and residents of The McAuley and The Frances Warde Towers Apartments within Saint Mary Home.  The Client Grant from CHEFA will make possible Mercy Community Health's acquisition of Home Telemonitoring for some of its HomeCare clients and a Central Telemonitoring station for The Frances Warde Towers Apartments and each of The McAuley's buildings.

 

"This technology will track blood pressures, weights, oxygen levels and pulse on our clients and residents, as well as prompt them to answer questions designed to identify changes in their medical status in the early stages, before they require emergent care or hospitalization.  Home telemonitoring capabilities and a central telemonitoring station on our campus will expand the breadth of services Mercy Community Health provides.  We are very grateful to CHEFA for assisting our efforts to maximize our technological capabilities that supports the mission and the quality of care for which Mercy Community Health is known," said Bill Fiocchetta, President and CEO of Mercy Community Health.

 

Richard D. Gray, executive director of the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, suggested additional benefits brought about by this technology.  "The CHEFA Board and Staff congratulate Mercy Community Health on its successful grant application to fund its Telehealth Monitoring Program.  The power of this technology not only improves patient care, but also allows caregivers to substantially increase their productivity," he said.

 

Within three months, nursing personnel at Mercy Community HomeCare, The McAuley and The Frances Warde Towers Apartments will introduce the equipment to associates through a series of educational programs pertaining to health promotion and management of chronic diseases.  Twenty Telemonitoring units will be leased by Mercy Community HomeCare, two Central Monitoring Telehealth stations will be purchased for The McAuley, and three will be purchased for clients within The Frances Warde Towers Apartments.

 

More information about CHEFA and its programs can be found at www.chefa.com .