DALLAS, Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today's patient-centered model puts the responsibility on healthcare providers to understand more about their patients outside of the hospital. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) technology is reinventing the age-old notion of the house call. Now, that house call can happen over video on a wirelessly connected tablet.

AT&T* plans to deliver a new cloud-based RPM Software-as-a Service (SaaS) from Ericsson that utilizes its service enablement platform and Intuitive Health software to facilitate better management of chronic diseases and help reduce hospital readmissions. The interactive service's video component will provide helpful coaching, reminders and health education. AT&T has been piloting the RPM SaaS solution with large health systems, academic medical centers and home care providers. It is expected to be available in 2013. 

The AT&T RPM SaaS will join the AT&T ForHealth(SM) suite of RPM services that includes an end-to-end managed RPM service powered by Valued Relationships Inc. The end-to-end service allows a nurse-staffed telemonitoring center to monitor patients around the clock, following standard of care guidelines established by physicians and healthcare providers and using an open architecture that supports Bluetooth-enabled devices.  

How AT&T RPM SaaS Works:
Patients will be able to check vitals daily using Bluetooth-enabled devices and easily make the data available to their providers, helping to improve quality of care and potentially saving time, money and healthcare resources.

• Data is automatically collected from wirelessly connected personal health devices such as blood pressure cuffs, weight scales and pulse oximeters, and sent over the AT&T network to the cloud-based system from Ericsson.
• Healthcare providers can access the information through a highly-secure portal, designed to comply with HIPAA's Security Rule requirements.
• Since the data is collected electronically, it can be shared among multiple caregivers and physicians through a highly-secure infrastructure, eliminating information gaps and duplication in reporting and helping to provide a more well-rounded view of the patient.
• The Intuitive Health application helps providers to implement and manage care plans and integrate the resulting data with clinician workflows.

"Live, on-demand, two-way video enables a personal connection for the patient and doctor, extending the relationship beyond the hospital walls," said Geeta Nayyar, M.D., Chief Medical Information Officer, AT&T ForHealth, AT&T Business Solutions. "Video makes it possible for a physician to see clinical signs and indicators such as skin color, mood, affect and determine whether a patient is utilizing devices and medications appropriately."  

The Evolution of RPM:
The approach evolved from AT&T and Intuitive Health's work with Texas Health Resources using RPM technology to support a research study that will be completed in December 2013. The AT&T Foundry® worked with AT&T ForHealth, Ericsson and Intuitive Health to enhance the solution by integrating real-time high definition video, allowing customers to access their applications and services from nearly anywhere and almost any device. This AT&T Foundry® work has implications across a number of Health IT solutions where presence and video can help increase engagement and efficacy.

AT&T's RPM solutions will be demonstrated at booth #801 at the mHealth Summit in the Washington DC area from Dec. 3-5, 2012.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.