A pilot experience in south of Italy for the remote follow-up of patient with implanted pacemaker

The Home Care system manufactured by Card Guard company and distributed by Hewlett and Packard, has been used for this pilot experience, concerning the “follow-up of patient with cardiac pacemaker at their home”. The system used is:- (i) 1 Workstation for collecting information through POTS network; (ii) 10 Recording devices; (iii) 1 ISDN line BRI and modems for accessing the main workstation from remote sites. A number of patients with implanted pacemakers have been selected on the basis of different criteria: implant age; predominance of natural cardiac rhythm; mobility problems etc. In this study the GPs have been contacted as an interface with the patient. Up to now 10 patients are regularly controlled. This study will take 1 year; a questionnaire after this period will be distributed to patients and GPs in order to assess the project and mainly to evaluate the improvement in quality of life