Patient Story: Telemedicine Saved Her Life

TAMPA, Fla., April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by the American Telemedicine Association:

WHAT: How can telemedicine save health care dollars while saving lives?  How is the booming field of mobile-health technology helping to improve the quality of life for patients with chronic conditions and save them in emergency situations? Are remote medical technologies working well for mental health patients as well as for stroke victims?

The latest research and applications in telemedicine in psychiatry, chronic disease management, emergency response will be presented at a briefing by leading researchers and experts at the 16th Annual American Telemedicine Association (ATA) Meeting. The briefing will be streamed live [link here]. The ATA Meeting is the world's largest scientific meeting and exposition focusing exclusively on telemedicine, telehealth and remote medical technologies.

WHO: Moderator:

Dale Alverson, M.D. - President, American Telemedicine Association
Medical Director, Center for Telehealth
University of New Mexico Health Sciences

Presenters include top researchers and experts with findings on:

• Chronic Disease Management - Mobile phone-based telemedicine system significantly improved uncontrolled high blood pressure in diabetes patients and heart failure patients

(Progress report on first clinical trial of iPhone app used for remote diabetes patient monitoring with fully integrated with glucometer)

Joseph A. Cafazzo, Ph.D. PEng, Senior Director, eHealth Innovation, University Health Network, Toronto, ON

• Telepsychiatry - Pyschotherapy through telemedicine improves access, participation, and saves time and money for veterans suffering from PTSD

Zia Agha, M.D., MS, Director of Health Services Research, VA San Diego Healthcare System, Research Scientist Veterans Medical Research Foundation San Diego and Associate Professor University of California San Diego

• Stroke Intervention - State Medicaid-funded telestroke intervention program more than doubled access to stroke care for state residents, and dramatically improves administration of clot-busting medication to stroke patients

(May is National Stroke Awareness Month)

Curtis Lowery, M.D., Director, Center for Distance Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Sandra Bowden patient and hospital administrator shares story of her own telestroke treatment and what telemedicine has meant for her hospital

Christus St. Michael Health System, Texarkana, TX

• Trauma Telemedicine - Equipping first responders with telemedicine technologies; a model to saves lives and money

Antonio Marttos, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery and Director of Trauma Telemedicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

WHEN: Tuesday, May 3, 2011, 11:00 a.m. – Noon (EDT)

WHERE: Tampa Convention Center

Press room - First Floor, Room 3

333 S Franklin Street, Tampa, Florida

MORE: For press registration, visit here

For out-of-town reporters, link to live webcast of press conference here. Online viewers may submit questions to: bdesimone@burnesscommunications.com.

Online questions answered as time permits.

Follow us on Twitter @ATA_2011

Visit here for a meeting overview and here to download the complete program.

CONTACT:  Bridget DeSimone, bdesimone@burnesscommunications.com, 301-280-5735, cell: 202-468-0766, or Dionne Dougall-Bass, dionne@burnesscommunications.com, 888-969-7446

SOURCE American Telemedicine Association