spencer® Technology is Well-Positioned for 2018 Digital Health Growth Trends

MORRISVILLE, N.C., Jan. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Already in the homes of complex patients in both the U.S. and Canada, spencer Health Solutions' breakthrough in-home prescription drug delivery, monitoring and engagement technology is at the forefront of three digital health innovation trends identified for strong growth in 2018.

Fortune reports that over $4.7 billion in digital health investment went to a growing number of companies last year, highlighting market excitement. Meanwhile, health innovation began to meld the patient and doctor experience, opening the way for acceleration in three key areas enabled by spencer in-home technology.

• Telemedicine is part of the everyday delivery of primary care, extending access and convenience to patients.
• Patient-generated data is shaping monitoring and treatment.
• Passive collection of biometrics and digital tracking will be integrated to EHR (electronic health records).

"Patient-reported health information is already playing a vital role in clinical trials, and with remote monitoring, this trend will continue, especially in shaping the treatment of depression, stroke, diabetes and cancer," said Tom Rhoads, Founder and CEO of spencer Health Solutions, LLC. "Today, these are prioritized initiatives for health systems and payers; and spencer is at the forefront, selected by ACOs (accountable care organizations) as the most desirable technology for their chronic care patients."

It has been difficult for health payers and care managers to collect information from the sickest of patients, who are responsible for 65 percent of health costs. Meanwhile, those same patients are interacting with spencer at least twice daily to answer health status questions at a rate ranging from 65 to 73 percent. Those same patients have a 9% (nine percent) response rate for phone call surveysⁱ, and a response rate of less than 30 percentⁱⁱ for other traditional methods, including emails and postal mailings.

The spencer in-home connected cell and Wi-Fi based device pairs with Bluetooth technology to passively capture and report biometric data alongside dose-level drug adherence data. The touch screen and camera features support video appointments and make it easy for patients to answer twice daily health status questions.

"Blood pressure readings and other vital signs are passively gathered and reported without requiring a doctor visit," said Rhoads. "Patients and doctors have demonstrated a new comfort with this interaction that equalizes the quality of care, regardless of where patients live."

Currently, patients in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Canada are actively using the FDA-listed spencer® engagement platform on their kitchen countertops to dispense medications, and to interact with their pharmacists and care teams.

Spencer's digital platform includes the spencerAssist™ mobile app for family caregivers, and the spencerCare™ clinical site where pharmacists or other care providers can monitor patient medications and feedback. Those insights support care team outreach with calls or video appointments using spencer.

About spencer Health Solutions, LLC and spencer®

For the 40 million people whose illnesses drive 65 percent of US healthcare costs, spencer Health Solutions, LLC (formerly HAP Innovations, LLC) is transforming healthcare by moving care delivery to the home. The company's award-winning spencer® medication dispensing and adherence, telehealth and engagement platform extends access, and enables virtual care by making it simple for patients, family caregivers, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers to stay in touch.

For more information, visit www.helloimspencer.com

Media Contact:  Gayle McCracken

[email protected], +1.919.208.9176

ⁱ Pew Research Center, May 2017. What Low Response Rates Mean for Telephone Surveys. Keeter, Harley, Kennedy, Arnold.
ⁱⁱ Care Quality Commission, Jan. 2016. NHS Patient Surveys: Response Rate for the Community Mental Health Survey.

SOURCE spencer Health Solutions

Related Links

http://www.helloimspencer.com