The donation, made in Memory of Henry and Erna D. Leir, will be used to provide Telehealth and Lifeline to patients receiving home care services.
Telehealth uses small electronic devices placed in a patient's home that allow clinicians to monitor the patient's vital signs from a remote location.
Patients use the device and peripheral equipment to take measures of their blood pressure, pulse, oxygen level and weight. The information is sent electronically to be evaluated by a nurse.
While Telehealth does not replace visits by the nurse, it does allow patients with chronic illnesses such as congestive heart failure and obstructive pulmonary disease to be monitored every day.
"WCHC Telehealth Program is vital to the continued improvement in clinical outcomes and to ensuring our patients remain in their homes and out of the hospital", said Brian O'Loughlin, home care administrator, in a statement.
The grant also provides for Lifeline, an automatic fall detector.
Falls are the most frequently occurring accident for seniors and timely response is critical to reducing the impact of the injuries that may have occurred.
Western Connecticut Home Care provides comprehensive nursing, therapy, medical social work and home health aide services to patients throughout the Danbury and New Milford areas.
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