need a land line to connect. “But health care is about face-to-face encounters. Some have video capability, but can’t read the physiological data. Some record vitals, but don’t have video. We have both.”
Despite the competition, some local health care providers have already signed up to deploy HealthNetConnect’s products. St. John Providence health system in Southeast Michigan used HealthNetConnect in a pilot program last year for patients with lung disease. As a result, Davis says the hospital was able to cut re-admissions by 71 percent.
HealthNetConnect is being used by Hurley Medical Center in Flint for remote prenatal exams, and by Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit for remote exams of patients recovering from strokes and recently discharged patients with lung disease, among other clinical settings. It’s also being used by wealthy patients in Saudi Arabia who want instant access to Western medicine. “They can use it for a monthly fee instead of hopping in their helicopter [after something goes wrong],” Davis says.
HealthNetConnect is also working with veterans and the healthcare providers who serve them to try and reach patients who live 60 miles or more from a VA hospital. The company would also like one day to provide remote triage services to active military in the field. In total, Davis says the remote care market is projected to be worth $18 billion.
“We believe this is the future of healthcare,” Davis adds. “There’s a hunger for technology on the part of patients. They want to have care givers at their fingertips.”
