All of Alere’s care managers are registered nurses with background and specialized training in the care of specific disease programs. Our care managers have been trained in motivational retention techniques which include identifying the root cause for resistance or non-compliance and addressing these issues.
The program integrates with and supports clinicians by providing timely, objective, participant specific information about changes in a participant’s status (so problems can be addressed before deterioration or hospitalization becomes necessary) or summary information prior to each physician encounter (allowing practice efficiency and improved care). Outreach to physician offices often results in a call back from a nurse, physician assistant or treating physician to the Alere care manager where discussions about the
participant may take place. Providing this information to, and enhancing the relationship with, the clinician supports the need for integrated and timely information in the medical home and optimizes the likelihood of participant program success.
Physicians with participants on our program have found an increase in participant adherence to treatment plans, overall improved participant awareness of their illness, and a reduction in avoidable hospitalizations.
Biometric Monitoring
The DayLinkTM Monitor is a communications device that connects to peripheral devices, including an electronic scale, glucometer or blood pressure monitor and cuff. Some devices are wireless, while others connect to a standard telephone jack and electrical outlet. To use the monitor, participants answer questions using the “Yes” or
“No” buttons on the console. The monitor is able to record a participant’s weight, blood glucose levels (glucometer provided by participant), and pre-programmed questions regarding symptoms of the chronic condition or co-morbidities that Alere may be monitoring.
Participant health information is then sent via a toll-free telephone line or wireless connection to Alere’s clinical system, allowing our care managers to regularly review the data, provide immediate guidance, and/or alert the participant’s physician if symptoms require immediate attention. The system’s ability participants according to health risks based on symptom information ensures that Alere’s clinical team is able to quickly identify and intervene with the highest risk participants.
For participants, this means no preset limitations on services. By placing the biometric home monitoring system in a participant’s home, Alere’s clinical team is able to stay “connected” to a participant in a manner unparalleled by other health management companies.