RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 COPD telemonitoring: Analysis of hospital admissions JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 211 VO 44 IS Suppl 58 A1 Michael Crooks A1 Ghassan Hamad A1 Mike Cosgrove A1 Christine Alexander A1 Alyn Morice YR 2014 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/211.abstract AB IntroductionAcute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are a common reason for hospital admission. Remote monitoring in COPD aims to detect AECOPD early, thus reducing hospitalisation. We examined COPD-related admissions of patients undergoing tele-monitoring.MethodsWe prospectively followed COPD patients undergoing daily monitoring by the local telehealth service. Electronic care records and telehealth records were reviewed to obtain data on demographics, hospital admissions, community interventions and to identify changes in monitored data in the 7 days prior to admission.Results183 patients were followed-up for mean±SD 80.7±27 days accounting for 14,611 monitored days. A total of 3533 system alerts were recorded with 30 COPD related admissions. The mean inpatient stay was 6 days with 6/30 staying <2 days. Chest x-ray revealed infective changes in 6/30 admissions. Patients admitted with AECOPD alerted more frequently than those not admitted (31.4±12.3 vs 24.7±11 alerts per patient respectively, p<0.01). Clinically meaningful changes in telehealth data occurred in 24/30 admissions, however, a system alert was generated in only 20. Increased respiratory symptoms were common (24/30 patients) with a clinically significant drop in oxygen saturations detected in 7/30 patients.ConclusionIncreased symptoms prior to admission with an AECOPD can be detected using remote monitoring. However, standard monitoring and alert algorithms are insufficiently specific to identify true clinical deterioration from day to day variation. Further work is required to develop methods of identifying impending AECOPD with greater specificity allowing targeted community interventions.