Technology trial in Wirral could cut unnecessary hospital admission

A successful pilot programme to test a pioneering new health technology has been completed in Wirral. Sensor equipment from 2iC-Care, called Andi, was trialled over four months through a pilot project with Wirral Council and their telecare provider Medequip. During the trial, Andi successfully prevented an elderly woman from needing to be admitted to the hospital with a kidney infection relating to a urinary tract infection. This innovative new technology could save the local health care system thousands of pounds per year and free up hospital beds, as unplanned admissions to hospital due to UTIs cost the NHS over £300 million per year. Additionally, the technology enables healthcare professionals to engage and commence treatment at an earlier stage, before the condition escalates to the point of needing a hospital stay. Research from Age UK shows that older people are more likely to experience a delayed discharge after being admitted to the hospital, contributing to the phenomenon known as ‘bed blocking’. The software will also reduce the need for people to manage multiple different home care monitoring devices and allow them to access all the information they need to stay well in one place. 2iC-Care’s new technology is protecting the future of responsive care at home for hundreds of people by connecting home care technology together on digital communications systems. This trial in Wirral could cut unnecessary hospital admissions and have a positive impact on the wider community by preventing costly hospital admissions of the elderly population.