Health technology saves the life of Birmingham patient

An innovative healthcare machine – which is no bigger than a radio alarm clock – has saved the life of a Birmingham patient only weeks after she had started to use it.

Carol Bradley, who lives in Erdington, has COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and recently became a member of Birmingham OwnHealth. This service, run by NHS Birmingham East and North, offers regular support and advice service over the telephone to people like Carol who have long-term conditions, including diabetes, coronary heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, stroke or TIA (“mini stroke”) and chronic kidney disease, as well as COPD.

As part of her care package, Carol was offered Assistive Technology equipment, including a Genesis machine that allows her to take readings of her weight, pulse, oxygen level and blood pressure in her own home. Patients do this at certain times of the day to suit them, in response to questions asked out loud by the machine. If the readings give cause for concern, the patient’s Birmingham OwnHealth Care Manager alerts their Assertive Case Manager, who is based in the community. The Assertive Case Manager can go on the road to check up on that patient if necessary.

Sophie Byrne, Carol’s Assertive Case Manager, takes up the story: “Carol was known to have low oxygen levels and had been admitted to hospital many times due to her COPD, so I set her up on the Assistive Technology soon after our first assessment.

“Just two weeks later, the machine recorded that her oxygen levels were dangerously low. However, when I visited her other levels were normal and she was not short of breath, so she was reluctant to go to hospital.

“I persuaded her to go to hospital that day and as soon as she arrived, she was on NIV (non-invasive ventilation). Her family were called to the hospital by the doctors and informed that she may not survive.

“However, the following day they started reducing her treatment and she was sitting eating toast when I called. She was discharged a few days later and was able to enjoy Christmas at home with her family. I am sure that had she have fallen asleep with those oxygen levels she would have died, and believe the Assistive Technology saved her life.”

Carol added: “Without the Assistive Technology machine, without a doubt I wouldn’t be here today. I knew that I was dying.I would recommend the Assistive Technology to everyone; in fact, when I was in hospital I recommended it to the lady in bed next to me!

“I and my family would like to thank not only the Assistive Technology, but everyone who was involved, including all the staff that have contributed, such as the community team, Birmingham OwnHealth, the nurses in hospital, my physios and my consultant, Tim Fletcher.”

To find out if Birmingham OwnHealth or Assistive Technology can help you with your long-term condition, ask your GP or other health professional in east or north Birmingham or go to www.birminghamownhealth.co.uk.

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Enquiries
An interview and photo/filming opportunity with Sophie Byrne and Carol Bradley is available. For more information, please contact Sarah Millard, Birmingham OwnHealth Communications and Engagement Manager, on 0121 380 0638.

Notes for editors

• Birmingham OwnHealth is a healthcare service for people with long term conditions in Birmingham. It provides one-to-one healthcare in several languages over the telephone by health professionals designated to each member.

• The service helps people with conditions such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic kidney disease, stroke/TIA (“mini-stroke”), high blood pressure or are aged over 65 and would like help with a range of health conditions to make positive changes to their health and lifestyles and learn how to manage their conditions better.

• Birmingham OwnHealth is a partnership of NHS Birmingham East and North, UK Pfizer Health Solutions and NHS Direct. Pfizer Health Solutions is a group within Pfizer Limited that operates independently of Pfizer’s medicines business.

• The Birmingham OwnHealth website can be accessed at www.birminghamownhealth.co.uk.