“The Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding its use of an mHealth device designed to identify veterans in danger of losing limbs due to diabetes complications.”
“Beginning on December 1, the VA will make the Podimetrics Mat available to clinics across the country. The technology, now in use at 15 VA centers, uses thermographic monitoring to monitor the skin temperature of veterans living with diabetes, identifying early onset of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), which can lead to amputation if not treated properly…”
“The program is the latest in a long list of mHealth and telehealth efforts aimed at improving access and care for veterans, especially those living in remote areas or who can’t or won’t seek treatment at the nearest VA hospital or clinic…”
“The VA will make the devices available to clinics through its Prevention of Amputations for Veterans Everywhere programs, and will be launching a new pilot program at VA facilities in the Southeast, where DFUU rates among veterans are high.”
“With some 75,000 cases of DFU treated by the VA last year, that type of intervention could help boost clinical outcomes for a significant population of veterans and save hundreds of thousands of dollars in care costs.”
“With diabetic foot care costing the nation’s healthcare system millions each year – and with DFUs capable of causing sepsis, amputation and even death – providers and researchers have been testing mHealth platforms that include wearables and monitors to better detect health concerns…” Read the full article here.
Source: VA Expanding mHealth Program For Veterans Living With Diabetes – By Eric Wicklund, November 19, 2019. mHealth Intelligence.
