A Novel Patch for Heart Rhythm Monitoring
Recognizing the clinical advantages of the Zio Patch heart monitor along with its reimbursement challenges, the author founded SuddenLife (CA, USA) in 2011. This is a professional corporation that offers Zio Patch heart monitors to appropriately screened patients willing to pay directly for the product, outside of insurance reimbursement. The concept is shown in Figure 4. Patients with symptoms or risk factors generally contact SuddenLife initially from an internet site. Interested applicants are screened by a physician-derived algorithm limiting use to those with predetermined cardiac risk factors or symptoms. If appropriate, a Zio Patch is prescribed by a physician and mailed to the patient with instructions for home application. Upon completion of the monitoring, the patient receives a packet of materials including copies of the physician-reviewed rhythm analysis and a recommendation for management. Patients are encouraged to share the results with their regular physician. If the analysis of patient data reveals a significant rhythm abnormality and there is no current cardiologist relationship, a referral to a Heart Rhythm Society physician is provided if requested.
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 4.
SuddenLife model.
Direct-to-consumer health is a rapidly growing segment of healthcare, driven by numerous factors, including increased public awareness of medical issues, lack of access to physicians and the improved access to medical information available via the internet. In one study, over 53% of patients stated that they used the internet for medical information. In 2012, the second most common health search engine term was 'heart'. Examples of consumer health include access to vaccination without a physician office visit, the availability of coronary calcium scores via ultra-fast computed tomography studies and the US$500 billion wellness industry. One of the positive outcomes of the much publicized discussion of public policy for healthcare has been an individual's greater interest in their own care.
The concept of SuddenLife heart rhythm monitoring was developed to provide greater access to cardiac rhythm diagnosis and care within the guidelines of accepted medical practice. Patients generally come from two user groups:
SuddenLife has only recently initiated its patient care service (November 2012), so it is too early to comment on its acceptance from or value, or lack thereof, to individuals willing to pay for heart rhythm analysis themselves. Potentially, this could provide another valuable avenue for the at-risk individual to screen for heart disease.
SuddenLife: A Consumer Health Alternative
Recognizing the clinical advantages of the Zio Patch heart monitor along with its reimbursement challenges, the author founded SuddenLife (CA, USA) in 2011. This is a professional corporation that offers Zio Patch heart monitors to appropriately screened patients willing to pay directly for the product, outside of insurance reimbursement. The concept is shown in Figure 4. Patients with symptoms or risk factors generally contact SuddenLife initially from an internet site. Interested applicants are screened by a physician-derived algorithm limiting use to those with predetermined cardiac risk factors or symptoms. If appropriate, a Zio Patch is prescribed by a physician and mailed to the patient with instructions for home application. Upon completion of the monitoring, the patient receives a packet of materials including copies of the physician-reviewed rhythm analysis and a recommendation for management. Patients are encouraged to share the results with their regular physician. If the analysis of patient data reveals a significant rhythm abnormality and there is no current cardiologist relationship, a referral to a Heart Rhythm Society physician is provided if requested.
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 4.
SuddenLife model.
Direct-to-consumer health is a rapidly growing segment of healthcare, driven by numerous factors, including increased public awareness of medical issues, lack of access to physicians and the improved access to medical information available via the internet. In one study, over 53% of patients stated that they used the internet for medical information. In 2012, the second most common health search engine term was 'heart'. Examples of consumer health include access to vaccination without a physician office visit, the availability of coronary calcium scores via ultra-fast computed tomography studies and the US$500 billion wellness industry. One of the positive outcomes of the much publicized discussion of public policy for healthcare has been an individual's greater interest in their own care.
The concept of SuddenLife heart rhythm monitoring was developed to provide greater access to cardiac rhythm diagnosis and care within the guidelines of accepted medical practice. Patients generally come from two user groups:
Asymptomatic with risk factors. Whether a family member has died of sudden death or the patient has known cardiac risk factors, periodic screening for arrhythmias may uncover serious rhythm abnormalities that warrant treatment;
Symptomatic but undiagnosed. These patients may live far from advanced cardiac care, have previously undergone a negative rhythm evaluation (e.g., 24-h Holter) or are proactively searching for better rhythm documentation.
SuddenLife has only recently initiated its patient care service (November 2012), so it is too early to comment on its acceptance from or value, or lack thereof, to individuals willing to pay for heart rhythm analysis themselves. Potentially, this could provide another valuable avenue for the at-risk individual to screen for heart disease.