Published: June 08, 2010
VNR Home Care Services Launches AMAC's MedSmart System to Support Medication Therapy Management
OCEANSIDE, N.Y. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - American Medical Alert Corp. (NASDAQ: AMAC), a provider of healthcare
communication services and remote monitoring technologies, announced
today that it has launched a Medication Management Program with Visiting
Nurse Regional Health Care Services, Brooklyn, NY (VNR), the third
largest home care agency in New York State. During the study, a select
number of HIV patients with complex drug regimens and history of
noncompliance will receive AMAC's MedSmart System - an Automated
Dispensing and Reporting Solution. The goal of the program is to
simplify medication therapies for patients and empower clinicians and
caregivers with real-time, continuous information to improve compliance,
decrease hospitalizations and optimize health resources.
Thomas Smith, RN who is the Nursing Coordinator of VNR's HIV/AIDS
program stated, "Medication errors is the second highest reason for
emergency room visits and hospitalizations in the United States with the
average cost of an emergency room visit about $4,000 dollars per visit.
An older person taking his or her medication on time is a key difference
between staying at home and living in an institution. Many of my clients
have needed their medications pre-poured by an RN for years; this is the
first time that we can monitor and remind them to take them on time. I
expect to see improved cardiac status and weight gain from my frail
patients with complex service issues."
Frederic Siegel, AMAC's Executive Vice President stated, "We are
extremely pleased to partner with VNR in this initiative. VNR has been
an early adopter of telehealth technologies and we believe MedSmart will
be a great complement to their chronic care management program. We
anticipate there will be a positive correlation between appropriate
medication adherence and improved vital signs to support healthy living
at home."
The MedSmart System organizes, reminds and dispenses the correct pills
at the correct time from 1 to 6 times per day ensuring safe and
appropriate medication use. Containing a two-way communication modem,
MedSmart uploads device and dispensing information on a daily basis to a
secure, web portal for access by authorized individuals. If a dose is
missed or medications are low, the system will promptly notify
designated caregivers via text, voice or email message, allowing for
early intervention and timely tray refill.
About Visiting Nurse Regional Health Care System (VNR):
VNR is New York State's third-largest and oldest home care agency,
serving 15,000 people in New York City's five boroughs and Westchester
County and providing 1.5 million hours annually of comprehensive home
care. VNR is the parent company of the Visiting Nurse Association of
Brooklyn which was started in 1888, and Empire State Home Care Services,
The organization serves the ill and disabled, from premature infants to
the elderly. To learn more about VNR and its services, visit www.vnrhcs.org.
About American Medical Alert Corp.
AMAC is a healthcare communications company dedicated to the provision
of support services to the healthcare community. AMAC's product and
service portfolio includes Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS)
and 24/7 monitoring, electronic medication reminder devices, disease
management monitoring appliances and healthcare communication solutions
services. AMAC operates eight US based, communication centers under
local trade names: HLINK OnCall, North Shore TAS, Live Message America,
ACT Teleservice, MD OnCall, Capitol Medical Bureau, American
MediConnect, and Phone Screen to support the delivery of high quality,
healthcare communications. To learn more about AMAC, visit www.amac.com.
Randi Baldwin, 516-536-5850 ext3109
Senior Vice President,
Marketing AMAC
randi.baldwin@amac.com
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