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Understanding and properly administering medication for someone with chronic health problems practically takes a medical degree, so it’s not surprising that failure to take prescription drugs costs the U.S. health care system between $100 billion and $289 billion annually. Even worse, this lack of medication compliance can be deadly.
The rate of patient errors in self-dosing is difficult to quantify, but it’s definitely a fundamental problem in medication management, says Dr. Troy Manchester, medical director of ambulatory clinics at Dameron Hospital in Stockton, Calif. “Lack of compliance with a recommended treatment is one of the most significant risks for treatment failure and can result in worsening of medical conditions, including fatality.”
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According to Manchester, when it comes to medicating patients, physicians struggle with what he calls a “profound gap” between what doctors prescribe in the ideal clinical setting and the reality of patients’ lives.
As a result of the potentially life-threatening consequences of patients not taking their prescriptions correctly, medical technology companies like Proteus Digital Health are creating products to help patients and their caregivers effectively manage medications and overall health.
The fact that patients are missing doses and taking prescribed medicine incorrectly is not their fault, but points to a health care system that is anything but user-friendly, says David O’Reilly, chief product officer for Proteus. For the last 10 years, the company has developed a product designed to take the guesswork out of prescription and healthcare management.
Their FDA-approved ingestible sensor consists of a poppy seed-sized ingredient made of minerals that will eventually be incorporated into common prescription medications. When swallowed, stomach fluids activate the sensor, initiating a heartbeat-like signal picked up by a patch worn on the torso. The patch records data from the sensor, including that the person took the medicine and information like heart rate, current activity and even sleep patterns.
“The patch relays the data to the wearer’s smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, and with the patient’s consent, the information automatically goes to health care providers and caregivers,” says O’Reilly of the technology that is available under commercial pilot in the U.S. and U.K. and has included patients with conditions such as mental health disorders, hypertension, diabetes, heart failure and tuberculosis.
Another new device that reminds people to medicate is the smart, connected prescription bottle. Manufactured by Vitality, the wireless technology consists of a special prescription bottle cap containing a chip that monitors when the bottle is opened. If not opened as scheduled, the cap glows and eventually plays an alarm, calling the patient on the telephone after two hours. Weekly medication reports are e-mailed to the user and approved recipients. The cap also has a convenient refill button, which sends a request to your pharmacy.
A wide variety of patient-tracking apps, such as RxmindMe, Dosecast and iPharmacy also remind people to take their medicine. Typical features beyond the reminder include obtaining refills, tracking of when medications are taken and the ability to share medication lists and dosing requirements. Some apps even feature a way to locate and download medication coupons.
All of these smart, connected products are good news to physicians like Manchester.
“Currently, disease management with medication occurs in a void of information,” he says. Smart technology systems “promote a level of engagement that is truly revolutionary and have the potential to drive our nation’s health to unprecedented levels of wellness.”
That’s a prescription we can all look forward to filling.
Julie Bawden-Davis is a widely published writer specializing in small business, health and fitness, personal finance and home and garden. Since 1985, her work has appeared in numerous publications, including OPEN Forum, MSN Money.com, Mint.com, Parade.com, The Los Angeles Times, Entrepreneur, Toastmaster Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens and Family Circle.
Image: Jamie/Flickr Creative Commons
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