Agilent Technologies' Home Monitoring Devices to be Used in American Healthways' CHF Management Program for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Members.Business Editors/High-Tech, Health & Medical Writers PALO ALTO Palo Alto, city, California Palo Alto (păl`ō ăl`tō), city (1990 pop. 55,900), Santa Clara co., W Calif.; inc. 1894. Although primarily residential, Palo Alto has aerospace, electronics, and advanced research industries. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 10, 2001 Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :A) today announced that, through its relationship with American Healthways, Agilent will provide components of its in-home monitoring solution for congestive heart failure congestive heart failure, inability of the heart to expel sufficient blood to keep pace with the metabolic demands of the body. In the healthy individual the heart can tolerate large increases of workload for a considerable length of time. (CHF CHF In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Swiss Franc. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. ), Interactive Healthcare Services (IHS IHS (I.H.S.) first three letters of Greek spelling of Jesus; also taken as acronym of Iesus Hominum Salvator ‘Jesus, Savior of Mankind.’ [Christian Symbolism: Brewer Dictionary, 480] See : Christ IHS ), to Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Shield A US not-for-profit health care insurer that is a reimbursement intermediary for physicians. Cf Blue Cross. of Massachusetts (BCBSMA BCBSMA Bluecross Blueshield of Massachusetts ). IHS will be used by American Healthways as part of its previously announced cardiac healthways program on behalf of BCBSMA. With headquarters in Boston, BCBSMA is New England's largest health plan providing coverage to more than 2.4 million members. American Healthways' cardiac healthways program is designed to coordinate and integrate the healthcare needs of BCBSMA members diagnosed with CHF. As part of the program, Agilent devices (including a scale and blood pressure and pulse unit) will be used to monitor the vital signs of BCBSMA members who meet certain clinical criteria. "By supplying our solution to BCBSMA through American Healthways, we help provide CHF patients with a world class health care solution -- one that improves the effectiveness and efficiency of health care delivery while addressing the need to reduce costs," said Greg Sebasky, vice president and general manager of e-Care Services for Agilent's Healthcare Solutions Group. Agilent IHS includes wireless, vital-sign devices that allow patients to gather daily measurements in their homes that are critical to the ongoing management of CHF -- weight, blood pressure, pulse, and ECG ECG electrocardiogram. ECG abbr. 1. electrocardiogram 2. electrocardiograph ECG Also called an electrocardiogram, it records the electrical activity of the heart. rhythm. These lightweight, portable devices are battery operated and can be placed anywhere in a patient's home. A "home hub" collects patient data and automatically and securely transmits the information over a phone line to an American Healthways care coordinator for review. Using a PC and a standard Web browser The program that serves as your front end to the Web on the Internet. In order to view a site, you type its address (URL) into the browser's Location field; for example, www.computerlanguage.com, and the home page of that site is downloaded to you. , American Healthways' clinicians can view patient information, including historical data and patient notes. The system also automatically flags patients whose daily measurements fall outside of limits established by the member's physician, allowing for fast and efficient follow-up. "Our selection of Agilent's equipment was made after an exhaustive competitive review which evaluated, among other items, product quality, reliability and service. The use of this technology provides our care teams with critically important information for the effective management of unstable CHF patients," said Thomas G. Cigarran, chairman and chief executive officer of American Healthways. About Agilent Technologies Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and healthcare. The company's 48,000 employees serve customers in more than 120 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $ 9.4 billion in fiscal year 2000, as restated to reflect the pending sale of its healthcare business. Information about Agilent Technologies can be found on the Web at www.agilent.com. |
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