Smart Meter Remote Patient Monitoring Powered by AT&T IoT Connectivity Helps Improve Outcomes for Patients with Chronic Conditions

Smart Meter IoT Devices in Remote Care Programs Dramatically Improve Health in 84% of Diabetes Patients and 88% of Hypertension Patients

First-in-Class Smart Meter Cellular Pulse Oximeter to Debut at CES 2022

What’s the news? AT&T* is teaming up with Smart Meter to improve health outcomes for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Smart Meter supplies healthcare providers with cellular remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices and services, including the SmartRPM™ solution, iGlucose®, iBloodPressure 2.0™, iScale™ and soon, the iPulseOx™, being unveiled at CES 2022 in Las Vegas. These devices run on AT&T’s nationwide IoT network, known for its reliability and coverage.

Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death in the U.S., and they’re on the rise. Hypertension can lead to 2 of the biggest killers in this country – heart disease and stroke – while diabetes ranks 7th for deaths. But studies show remote patient monitoring can help change this. For example, 84% of diabetes and 88%1 of hypertension patients at highest risk for severe disease complications experienced significant improvements in their health when using the Smart Meter iGlucose and iBloodPressure as part of RPM programs.

Why is this important? Consistent use is a must for an effective RPM program. So, the simpler the solution, the more likely the patient will use it. Smart Meter’s cellular-enabled devices simplify RPM. They are an easy out-of-the-box solution; just insert the included batteries and press the start button. The monitoring devices contain IoT SIM cards, so they automatically send the patient’s data over the AT&T IoT network to the SmartRPM cloud. The healthcare provider then accesses the data there via secure log-in.

Unlike cellular-enabled RPM devices, Bluetooth-enabled monitoring devices require the user to pair the device with a smartphone or tablet, download the data, and then send it to the doctor. It’s a more complicated solution that oftentimes involves troubleshooting. This can be intimidating and frustrating for users and can lead to them not continuing with the RPM program. Cellular RPM devices help lessen the technological divide and are more accessible to patients of all ages, regardless of digital literacy and access to connectivity.

What are the benefits?

For patients, Smart Meter’s cellular RPM devices mean easy access to improved healthcare with the peace of mind that comes from frequent assurances and support. For health care providers, the benefits include ready access to more complete patient data and the ability to act on it in near real-time, while automatic record keeping meets requirements for reimbursement.

Because of these benefits, a growing number of doctors are embracing RPM. A recent survey found 43% of clinicians believe RPM adoption will be on par with in-patient monitoring in 5 years.

What are people saying? “The iGlucose solution proved to be an outstanding resource for my clinical team to enable greater insights into our patients’ results between visits. More than 70% of participants required some form of intervention prior to their next in-office visit, and as a result, there was a reduction in emergency room visits and need for hospitalizations, demonstrating better overall diabetes care.” – Dr. Gail L. Nunlee-Bland, MD, Howard University Diabetes Treatment Center

“Our collaboration with Smart Meter is another example of how our IoT connectivity is advancing connected healthcare. IoT-enabled devices ultimately provide a quicker and more convenient patient service with better outcomes for both the patient and the healthcare provider.” – Joe Drygas, VP of AT&T Healthcare Industry Solutions

“As an early RPM innovator, Smart Meter has done extensive work to drive the best outcomes by improving patient engagement and adherence, and our cellular alliance with AT&T has been a large part of our success.” – Casey Pittock, Smart Meter CEO

1 Based on Smart Meter data on file.

Are you completely lost when it comes to supplements? You think you could use some extra nutrients in your diet, but don’t know what to go for? Maybe you go cross-eyed in the Holland and Barrett stores trying to identify what will feed your needs?

Well, we’re here to help. If you’re looking for a supplement, you’re in luck. We’re going to break down our favourite supplements and its uses. Read on for all the details.

Whey

Whey is for people who need more protein in their diet, without meat. It couldn’t be called vegan, since it comes from cow’s milk, but if you are going the vegetarian route or you’re trying to build muscle mass, whey is very attractive.

The very high level of protein in whey makes it a very useful gym supplement, since it allows you to better build muscle, lose weight and feel fuller for longer. It also lowers blood pressure, treats type 2 diabetes, reduces inflammation of injuries or even internal inflammation, such as in the digestive tract, and enhances antioxidant defenses.

Turmeric

Turmeric has been used for medicinal purposes throughout history. The turmeric supplement can be added to diets to take advantage of its bioactive compounds, which are lower while just adding the spice to your food. The anti-inflammatory compound in turmeric can play a role in aiding heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s, and other degenerative conditions.

It’s also known to boost brain function, due to its high levels of the brain hormone BDNF, so it’s useful for the long-term health of your brain.

Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is a supplement high in a lot of nutrients, making it another favourite of anyone looking for a workout. It’s great for a boost of vitamins A, C, and E, plus iron, magnesium, calcium, and amino acids.

It’s been known to reduce “bad” cholesterol and boost “good” cholesterol in the one move, so you have some cleaner arteries. Plus, it makes for a good weight loss aid due to its high levels of thylakoids, which increase weight loss and make you feel fuller for longer. On top of that you can possibly keep cancer at bay with wheatgrass, regulate your blood sugar to aid diabetes, and reduce inflammation.

Zinc

If you’re looking to boost your natural beauty with supplements, look into zinc. Zinc can be found in a lot of creams and beauty products due to its various repairing uses in the body. But notably, it can’t be produced in the body and needs to be added either through your diet or supplements.

Zinc is outright required for a lot of functions in the body including immune function, protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, growth, and development, and, notably, wound healing. It’s this aspect that is interesting to the beauty community.

Could you call a split end a wound? A very, very, minor one perhaps, but zinc will help avoid them. Same with your skin. Your skin holds a high amount of your zinc content and uses it for collagen synthesis, and to reduce inflammation to treat acne.

There are a lot of supplements out there. And they all have their own pros and cons, their own areas of health that they target, and their results depend on the person taking them. But one you perhaps haven’t heard of is wheatgrass.

Doesn’t sound appetizing, does it? Well, it might seem more appetizing when you find out just how much it can help you. There are a lot of benefits to wheatgrass that could help you out in your workout routine. If you’re interested, keep reading.

Where can I get wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is very easy to incorporate into your diet. It is found in a lot of leafy, green plants, like spinach, kale, and lettuce.

But if you’re looking for a concentrated dose, you can drink wheatgrass juice, which can be found at health food shops or use a juicer to make it at home, making for a good green smoothie addition. You can also add it to teas, salad dressing, and loads more.

However, it’s not common in supermarkets, so if you can’t get a hold of your own wheatgrass, you can buy organic wheatgrass powder to add to your smoothie.

High in nutrients

Wheatgrass is very high in a range of nutrients and antioxidants that are useful to maintaining a healthy body but are even better when paired with a good workout.

Amongst its nutrients are high doses of vitamin A, C and E, plus calcium, iron, magnesium, and amino acids. It also offers a range of antioxidants that help alleviate conditions like heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.

It also consists of chlorophyll, like most leafy plants, which contains its own benefits, like stimulating your immune system, detoxing your blood, cleaning your intestines, and useful to today, eliminating fungus in the body.

Lowers cholesterol

Everyone needs a little cholesterol to produce hormones, but too much cholesterol in the blood will lead to heart disease as it clogs up arteries. Luckily, a few animal studies have seen that wheatgrass might lower cholesterol. This is useful to know when you are working out and trying to either lose weight or build muscle.

Helps inflammation

We’ve all done too much, pushed ourselves too far, and gone home with a minor (or not so minor) injury that needs resting. And any injury is likely to result in inflammation, as it’s your immune system’s go-to response to harm to the body. It is the releasing of chemicals when something damages your cells.

So, when you pull a muscle and you can feel the heat going to the injured area of the body, your intake of wheatgrass can help you. Wheatgrass is full of chlorophyll, which is rich in anti-inflammatory properties.

Plus, it will help avoid a few conditions that are caused by or characterized by inflammation inside the body, like ulcerative colitis, which sees inflammation in the large intestine.

Promotes weight loss

If your goal is to shed a few pounds, you might want to look into a wheatgrass supplement. Wheatgrass contains thylakoids, which in turn contain chlorophyll which has been studied in its role in weight loss.

It has also been looked at as a means of slowing down the emptying of the stomach, which means you will feel fuller for longer and it will increase the release hormones in the body that decrease hunger.

It’s safe to say a lot of workout routines are created with the goal of losing or maintaining weight, which makes wheatgrass a very helpful supplement to go along with your exercise.

There are a lot of reasons to keep up the Veganuary trend. If you try it for the month as a new year’s resolution and you find you are getting results or you just like the idea, there’s nothing stopping you. If you need a refresher, or a few extra tips, take a look at our guide to continuing on your vegan journey.

What are the benefits?

There are a lot of benefits to becoming vegan, and whatever motivates you to stick with it is fine.

You can assuage a little guilt for your carbon footprint by going vegan, avoid the deaths of animals, or simply swap to a diet that is low in calories and slim down.

Preventing the deaths of animals is more of an emotional decision, but you can see just how big an impact your lack of eating meat and fish will go by visiting The Veganalyser app, which will calculate just how many animals you will be saving. Meat production is also a leading cause of global warming, so by abstaining from it we can start to reduce the amount of meat needed for the market.

On the other hand, keeping to a plant-based diet will force you to explore the more forgotten aspects of the diet plan, like whole grains, fruits, veg, beans, nuts, and seeds. These foods are rich in nutrients that are usually lacking in a meat-based diet and can improve your overall health, including improving kidney functions, protecting against certain cancers, lower heart disease and more.

Where do I start?

Starting to go vegan might depend on your tolerance for weaning off something you enjoy. If you don’t care about meat in your diet, good for you, going, ahem, cold turkey, will be easy. Others might have to replace meat with plant-based alternatives. If you’re worried about missing out on the nutrients that animal products offer, you can find the best spirulina powder here.

Plant-based alternatives have come a long way in a few years. Not only are big chain stores offering their own brands of vegan alternatives that taste a lot better than you’d expect, but fast-food chains are also offering their own alternatives. Never miss that meatball sub from Subway ever again. Don’t believe the chat about it not tasting the same. It doesn’t, but it comes very close, and you might even find replacements that you prefer.

As a tip for meals, try to base them around a carb-filled foundation. Once you’ve got your pasta, potatoes, or rice, you can add your plant-based surroundings.

If you find you’re getting bored, expand your options. Don’t abstain from meat-based cookbooks but take their ideas and tweak them. Find recipes from all around the world for a new spin on a classic. And keep a collection of staples you will never get sick of. Everyone needs a bowl of soup in the winter, for example.

What about non-food products?

The beauty industry has finally caught up with the rest of the world. Online, they have learned that customers aren’t going to stand for products that aren’t vegan and cruelty free. This is aided by a lot of products coming up with sustainable alternatives, like bamboo toothbrushes rather than plastic.

Avoiding wool, fur, and leather when you are shopping is an obvious choice to make, but some are sneaky. Check the tag of your items for a vegan logo or a bunny logo to be sure that the rest of the products you are buying are vegan.

To sum up, Veganuary is a great way to get into the idea, but if you’re going to take it seriously it might need a little more forethought. Too many items are not in fact vegan, so check before you buy.

In a situation of a kind, the services of a drone were taken to send a defibrillator to a man who fell while shoveling the snow right outside his home in the city of Trollhattan in Sweden.

The unnamed man told a leading global news broadcaster that it was great that it (drone) arrived in no time. The company which is behind this drone development said, that in this scenario the process of defibrillation began long before the ambulance arrived. Everdrone, in a statement, confirmed that it took not more than three minutes than the alarm getting raised and the delivery being done of the Automated External Defibrillator.

As per the patient, he doesn’t really remember the string of events which took place that day, but all he remembers is getting rid of the snow from his driveway before getting hit by a cardiac arrest, post which he doesn’t know a thing. It was his wife who later told him how fortunate he was. Dr Mustafa Ali, was driving through at that time, and rushed for the patient’s help and also immediately informed Everdrone of the situation. According to Dr Ali, he was on his way to the local hospital and that’s when he witnessed a man collapsing in the driveway. The man had no impression of pulse, and hence the doctor examined a CPR and also asked another person standing there to call up 112. With only a few minutes gone, he could see a drone along with a defibrillator flying over his head.

The chief executive of Everdrone Mats Sallstrom opined that technology played a crucial part in the overall team effort in saving the life of the patient. According to him, there is a need to understand the event chain that saved the man’s life, and the the technology of a drone played a pivotal role in it. The said drone is an outcome of a collaboration between Sweden’s biggest medical university, the Karolinska Institutet, as well as Everdrone and Region Vastra Gotaland.

A couple of years back, this group explored that the drones could be used to send defibrillators across Gothenburg and Kunglav in the western region of the country. In a study that was conducted over a period of four months, the researchers at Karolinska inferred that drones were sent across 12 out of 14 suspected cases of cardiac arrest and seamlessly delivered the AED to all barring one. Interestingly, in 7 cases out of the 12, the drones were at the spot before the ambulance.

Everdrone is already in talks with other countries including the UK, to put forth their technology in those parts.

In England, six hospital trusts have brought to light critical incidents because of the rise in staff shortages, all due to COVID-19. University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay that serves the population across Lancashire and South Cumbria has become the latest of all the trusts to take up this measure, as confirmed by the chief executive, Aaron Cummins, in a statement. Boris Johnson, Britain’s Prime Minister, has gone on to say that they will make sure to look after National Health Services in any way they can. He has also warned people and told them specifically that the pandemic is far from over. That said, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, opines that the critical incident is a signal of high pressure as it inhibits the ability to share a range of priority services that are present. He too confirmed that many areas of health services are currently undergoing a state of unprecedented crisis.

On Monday alone, around 158,000 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases and 42 unfortunate deaths were recorded, both in England and Scotland. The NHS will likely continue to face the heat in the weeks to come due to the rising number of hospitalizations. Significantly, Hospital and Ambulance services across the UK have now elevated their alert levels to the highest bracket.

In one of the blog posts by NHS Confederation’s chief executive, Matthew Taylor, some of the hospitals are literally urging staff members to give up rest days and even annual leaves to sustain core services. Ward visitation restrictions have already been put in place, understandably to reduce the Omicron variant.

In another development, a letter from the Royal College of Nursing to UK Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, cited that the NHS at no cost can afford the present level of absences and has called for a more cautious approach to the pandemic restriction in the country, with no hold-up, whatsoever.

It is essential to get help in a medical emergency as soon as possible. In some cases, going to the nearest hospital might not be the quickest way to receive treatment for your condition. In many cases, immediate attention can be found in an urgent care facility. Urgent care facilities are usually equipped with x-ray machines and labs that can help diagnose many conditions that might require hospitalization or surgery.

This article will overview Urgent care or emergency care facilities and how they can benefit your situation.

What is Urgent Care?

Urgent care centers are equipped with trained medical professionals who can evaluate your condition and treat it on site. If your situation is not that serious, you can receive treatment at an urgent care center without the need of being hospitalized or visiting an emergency room.

Many medical professionals search for jobs in urgent care facilities because they are more relaxed than hospitals. The environment of an urgent care center is similar to that of a doctor’s office, where you only wait a few minutes before the physician comes into the room and examines your condition.

Urgent care facilities like North Canyon Medical Center do not require appointments so that you can come in at any time with your medical emergency.

What are some examples of conditions that would warrant Urgent Care?

Urgent care facilities treat many conditions, including but not limited to:

• Broken bones
• Cuts that require stitches
• Foreign objects in the body
• High fevers
• Head injuries
• Minor burns
• Severe allergic reactions
• Severe asthma attacks
• Slipped discs in the back or neck

As you can see, there are many conditions that an urgent care center would be more equipped to handle than a hospital emergency room. North Canyon Medical Center treats patients every day with these and other ailments.

Time to seek help?

Many people wait until the symptoms of their condition become too severe before they seek medical attention. This is why it’s essential to know when a situation warrants medical attention and when an urgent care center can suffice.

Urgent care facilities are designed to treat medical emergencies. Suppose you have a condition that does not require hospitalization. In that case, it is recommended that you visit an urgent care center rather than the emergency room or your primary doctor’s office.

What are the advantages of an urgent care clinic?

The following are some of the advantages of utilizing an urgent care center:

1. Save money:

Urgent care centers charge a lower rate for treatment than most hospitals and emergency rooms. Therefore, you can save money by visiting an urgent care facility rather than the hospital.

Many Americans are struggling financially, so it’s essential to save money whenever you can.

2. Convenience:

With urgent care facilities open around the clock and no appointments necessary, they are convenient to patients who work during regular business hours.

Urgent care centers also provide treatment to patients on a walk-in basis, so you don’t have to make an appointment to receive the services you need.

3. No appointments

Another advantage of urgent care centers is that they accept walk-ins. If you wake up with a medical emergency or your symptoms worsen during your day, you can go to an urgent care center without making an appointment.

4. Accessible

Urgent care facilities are convenient to most people. They are located near malls, shopping centers, and grocery stores.

This makes it easy for patients who live in these neighborhoods to make a quick visit to the urgent care center without traveling far.

5. Comprehensive treatment

These facilities offer the same level of care found in hospitals and doctor’s offices but at a discounted rate.

They also offer a wide range of medical services so that you can receive a complete treatment plan from an urgent care center.

6. Shorter wait times

Since walk-ins are accepted at urgent care centers, your wait will be much shorter than if you went to a primary medical provider’s office.

In addition, the services provided by an urgent care center do not require hospitalization or emergency room treatment. Therefore, wait times at these facilities tend to be a lot shorter than in hospitals and emergency rooms.

Urgent Care Clinic Vs. Emergency Room

Many people wonder why they should visit an urgent care center instead of the emergency room or their primary doctor’s office.

The following are some of the distinctions between urgent care facilities and other medical institutions:

1. Urgent care clinics treat various medical conditions, including fractures, cold and flu symptoms, upper respiratory infections, rashes, and eye problems. Unlike a walk-in clinic, the center will always have physicians on staff that are available for consultation from other doctors in the case of an urgent care visit that requires more direct attention.
2. Urgent care centers are designed to treat patients who require immediate medical attention but do not need emergency room services. The center is more accessible than the emergency room since it does not require an appointment, has extended hours on weekends, and treats a wide range of on-site medical conditions.
3. An urgent care clinic often provides services on an appointment basis, while some centers use a walk-in system. Fees for urgent care center visits are typically more affordable than a hospital emergency room visit but vary from center to center.
4. In the case of life-threatening emergencies, it is best to go immediately to the nearest emergency room. Do not try to get the attention of a physician through an urgent care center in these cases.
5. If you have been injured, seek medical assistance immediately by going to the nearest emergency room, and do not attempt to diagnose yourself at an urgent care center. For non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses that require immediate medical attention but are not severe enough for emergency room services, make an appointment for an urgent care visit.

Before You Visit an Urgent Care Clinic:

The following are some essential things to know before visiting an urgent care center:

1. Book online if possible

Although many urgent care centers do not require appointments, booking an urgent care appointment beforehand through the center’s website is possible. This will save you time when it comes to scheduling your visit and help you avoid waiting for hours before being seen by a doctor.

2. Bring insurance information

You must take your health insurance card with you if you need to see a doctor and the center requires your insurance information.

North Canyon clinic accepts most insurance plans, so you will not have to worry about being turned down because of your insurance company.

3. Find a center for your needs

Many people wait until they become sick to find a medical center. However, this is not always the best way to find a walk-in clinic.

It may be a good idea to research local urgent care centers before your next doctor’s appointment so that you can be proactive in maintaining your health and wellness goals.

4. Prepare for your visit

When you make an appointment for an urgent care visit, make sure to get ready beforehand by gathering the following documents:

• Insurance card
• Government identification (driver’s license)
• List of current medications and supplements you are taking. It is also helpful to include the dosage of each medication.

This information can be provided to medical staff to ensure that you receive the proper treatment. The center should also have your pharmacy information on file to fill any prescriptions that you may need.

5. Stay away from high-risk activities

If your symptoms are very severe, it is best not to engage in any high-risk activities, such as sports or other physical activities, even if it will make you feel better. Symptoms can worsen if a person continues to engage in high-risk activities, and the center may not be able to determine the exact problem without an examination of your symptoms.

6. Urgent care is not for life-threatening emergencies

Life-threatening emergencies require immediate attention and cannot wait for an appointment at the clinic. They should be treated immediately at a hospital emergency room to prevent further health complications or damage. If you think your condition is life-threatening, do not hesitate to go directly to the nearest emergency room.

Conclusion

Urgent care offers a fast resource for emergency medical situations. These clinics are a great alternative to the emergency room, and they can be accessed without an appointment. Be sure to follow these tips for a smooth, efficient visit.

It is essential to know that Urgent Care isn’t for Life-Threatening Emergencies. It only provides the ability to see a provider quickly, and it is often at a lower cost than an Emergency Room visit.

MayaMD, an AI healthcare company, is showcasing its conversational digital human AI health assistant at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2022, where it announced a new collaboration with LG NOVA, the North American Innovation Center for LG Electronics, to improve healthcare engagement & outcomes.

In the pilot, MayaMD plans to integrate its state of the art AI health assistant, called Maya, into LG Smart TVs to provide patients a more convenient and cost-effective way to manage their care. Initially starting with heart disease and healthy heart care, the pilot will measure the impact and effectiveness of serving information to patients from their TVs.

According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults in the US accounting for 650,000 deaths annually. As a direct access point to information in a digestible format, Maya can be a welcomed resource for people wanting to take charge of their health and better manage their care.

“We are only just beginning to grasp the possibilities offered by this technology to change healthcare for the better. It’s exciting what we can achieve working together with LG NOVA,” said Dr. Vipindas Chengat, cofounder of MayaMD. “Home healthcare solutions offer patients an accessible care option, especially in light of the pandemic which is causing patients to delay care. MayaMD offers a creative way for patients to communicate with their healthcare team and not a miss a beat.”

“We hope AI-based applications like MayaMD can benefit patients not just in metro-areas, but also in rural or underserved areas where limited access to care has been an issue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to get care out to people. Through this collaboration with LG NOVA, we’ll be able to create a wide access point for Maya to reach more people in their homes,” Christian Habermann, cofounder & CMO.

Maya can provide in-depth information on over 8,600 diagnoses and easily integrates with clinician and doctors’ services to serve as the main connection point for specialized care. The focus on heart disease aligns with a “ongoing/existing?” program in a cardiology center.