Health Access Opens The First Telehealth Access Centre in Quebec

BEACONSFIELD, QC, June 1 /CNW/ - Health Acces Santé, a private home and nursing care company in Beaconsfield has been providing home care for fourteen years. In direct response to the over-burdened health care system and the urgent need for chronic disease management services, for the past three years they have been testing the use of technology for education and monitoring people with chronic diseases. Excited about what they learned, they are proud to announce the opening of a new company "Telehealth Access Centre" powered by SaskTel's LifeStat(TM) Remote Monitoring and Health Management service.

Managed by a staff of nurses and a dietician, the centre offers remote monitoring services and education for clients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure and more.

Using SaskTel's LifeStat service, clients are able to monitor their health condition through the collection of data such as blood pressure, blood glucose and weight in the comfort of their home or place of business. These readings are then wirelessly transmitted using Bluetooth technology to SaskTel's secure data center allowing Telehealth Access Centre's authorized health care professionals to immediately review client data and provide appropriate follow-up by telephone.

When an immediate intervention is required, Telehealth Access Centre nurses can conduct live 2-way video consultations directly with patients in their homes using PHD Medical's Televisit system. With an Internet connection and a Televisit terminal installed in the patient's home, the nurses can communicate with the patient over live video and use integrated medical devices to evaluate his or her condition quickly and effectively.

A well known figure in the health care community, owner Donna Byrne, BScN, MSc states that, "This new service will help people better manage their overall health and prevent unnecessary trips to doctor's offices or crowded emergency rooms. The ultimate goal is to help clients take control of their health. Through close monitoring and education individuals can learn to self manage their conditions and improve their "quality of life."

"LifeStat offers health care providers a new way to help clients take control of their health while providing caregivers with up-to-date information about the client's condition," said Robert Watson, SaskTel President and CEO. "We're very excited about this opportunity to work with Telehealth Access Center to demonstrate how clinicians using LifeStat" technology can provide life-enhancing capabilities.

For more information, go to www.telehealthaccess.com or call for a free brochure and demonstration. Drop in to join us on June 1st, 2010 between 11:30 and 13:30. Ribbon cutting by the Beaconsfield Mayor, Mr. David Pollock, at 11:30.

482 Beaconsfield Blvd. Beaconsfield, Quebec.

About SaskTel

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation (SaskTel) is the leading full service communications provider in Saskatchewan, with $1.15 billion in annual revenue. SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a workforce of approximately 4,800 employees. Visit SaskTel at www.sasktel.com. Visit LifeStat at www.lifestat.ca.

For further information: Interview Contacts: Donna Byrne, Telehealth Access Centre, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected], www.ashcanada.com, www.telehealthaccess.com; Andy Tate, SaskTel Media Relations, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Health Acces Santé, 482 Beaconsfield Blvd., suite 204, Beaconsfield, Quebec, H9W4C4, [phone]