The digital transformation of healthcare systems around the world has become a key priority, largely imposed reactively by global events over the last 2-3 years. Numerous digital health solutions have been created. However, most of them has been taken out of the patient journey context. It is becoming more and more apparent that the individual digital health solutions are not relevant if they do not fit into the healthcare system as a whole.
The systemic approach is key to accessing quality healthcare service that delivers concrete outcomes for patients and for the society. This approach is at the heart of the collaboration between two technology companies that are among the founders of the Digital Health and Innovation Cluster Bulgaria – Check Point Cardio and SAT Health. They have developed an entirely new model of integrated health care. In the centre of this patient care are high-tech devices for real-time monitoring of patients’ vital signs as well as a standardized process for accessing the service from all over the country. Moreover, real time patient monitoring is provided by the newly opened high-tech telemonitoring center in the city of Kazanlak, where more than 100 medical and health care professionals are employed and trained. Тhe center has a state-of-the-art outpatient telemonitoring system, with a highly accurate AI algorithm for data analysis. Integrated patient care is delivered by both SAT Health and Check Point Cardio medical teams who proactively care for patients throughout their journey by monitoring and/or diagnosing various types of arrhythmias, arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cardiovascular failure, diagnostically unclear cases, sleep apnea, COVID-19, screening and prevention of sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and more. The service includes personalized care throughout the monitoring period (short- or long-term telemonitoring in the home environment/remotely) using remote monitoring devices, as well as coordination between the patient, the physician and the telemonitoring center. Moreover, the service involves communication with the patient’s relatives, personal physician and other specialists, real time connection with the medical team, care in the home environment and contacting emergency assistance when necessary. Integrated health care developed in this way improves access to a specific innovative digital health solutions by strictly following quality standards and tracking outcomes.
Based on artificial intelligence, the method does not just monitor patients’ key vital signs, but accurately analyzes data through set algorithms, creates statistical models, identifies and makes suggestions to address potential health-related risks. The innovative technology for Bulgaria aims to reduce hospital treatment at the expense of effective prevention and early diagnosis. It enables trends and deviations from the norm to be closely monitored and evaluated in order to make informed decisions for the benefit of the individual patient.
According to assistant professor Atsev, University Hospital “St. Ekaterina” deputy director, the dynamics of indicators is key to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiovascular disorders.
“The effectiveness of cardiovascular disease diagnosis drops by at least 30% if the dynamics of the indicators are not monitored.”
Therefore assistant professor Atsev has been using the technology since its development, allowing him to establish a completely new diagnostic and therapeutic approach. He also focuses specifically on the possibilities of preventing sudden cardiac death.
Dr. Boychev, cardiologist and creator of the telemonitoring system, is convinced that health technology is the key to improving the country’s health outcomes and stabilizing health systems. “The telemonitoring system allows for earlier detection and occurrence of life-threatening conditions, earlier prediction of deterioration of the patient’s condition, timely response for emergency care, logistical support to hospital facilities for timely referral of patients to another medical facility as well as the possibility of organizing a “Hospital at Home”. This is a breakthrough in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, but at the same time a tool that creates a predictable healthcare environment and increases the clinical and financial performance of the entire healthcare system,” Dr. Boychev said.
