SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 10, 2024 – The prevalence of chronic diseases is increasing, particularly in the U.S., leading to a greater need for long-term care. This trend, coupled with evolving care models and labor shortages, is driving a shift towards more care being delivered in the comfort of patients' homes.
Baxter, a global leader in healthcare, is at the forefront of this transformation, providing innovative tools and connected devices that empower patients to effectively manage chronic conditions like hypertension, respiratory illnesses, and cardiac issues at home.
Connected Care: Meeting Patients Where They Are
Baxter's connected care solutions leverage technology to make care more convenient and collaborative, supporting patient safety and well-being.
Hypertension Management
For patients with hypertension, Baxter offers ambulatory blood pressure monitoring devices that allow for accurate readings at home. These readings provide valuable data for clinicians to assess treatment effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.
"Hypertension is a chronic disease, so it has to be consistently managed," says Julie Jakubowski, MD, FACP, head of Medical Affairs for Front Line Care at Baxter. "It's best for patients to engage in their own care in partnership with their clinicians. They can check and record their blood pressure at home and share results with their care team to provide valuable information about whether the treatment plan is working."
Respiratory Care
Baxter's respiratory devices, such as ventilators, help patients manage their conditions at home, improving their quality of life and independence.
Anne Snyder, a respiratory therapist and lead specialist in R&D Clinical at Baxter, encourages patients to focus on small, achievable goals at home. She recalls a patient who was initially hesitant to use a ventilator but was amazed by the improvement in their breathing while walking.
"Getting dressed, answering the door and making a cup of coffee ... these are small but important tasks that can lead to more independence once they get the courage to try with the assistance of therapy devices," Snyder explains.
Cardiac Monitoring
For patients with suspected arrhythmia, Baxter's wearable wireless cardiac monitoring devices provide continuous heart rate recording for accurate diagnosis.
Support Beyond Devices
Baxter's commitment to patient care extends beyond providing innovative devices. The company offers comprehensive support services to ensure successful treatment at home.
The Care Connex customer support team assists patients with non-invasive respiratory therapy, answering questions, providing in-home assessments and device training, and coordinating with insurance companies.
"It's important to be available to the patient at every step, whether they are new to the process, or they've been managing a condition for many years," says Joann Arny, Baxter's director of Provider and Customer Relations for Respiratory.
The Future of Home-Based Care
As home health products and therapies become more prevalent, patients are experiencing greater satisfaction with digital health solutions.
"Innovative tools and medical devices are game changers in the management of chronic diseases," states the report. "Remote monitoring, telemedicine, personalized treatment approaches and actionable insights from device data are driving this transformation from hospital to home, enabling patients to take more control of their health and saving valuable time for clinicians."
Baxter's commitment to innovation, patient support, and technology-driven solutions is empowering individuals to manage their chronic conditions at home, leading to greater independence, improved quality of life, and better health outcomes.