Within the framework of this EU project, which was started two-and-a-half years ago, a system is being developed to enable patients to continue individual endurance training in the home environment with telemedical care following the in-patient rehabilitation phase. The Schüchtermann Clinic contributes to this project with its competence and innovative potential in the fields of cardiovascular medicine and rehabilitation at the highest medical and technical level. The research institute OFFIS in Oldenburg is involved in the design of the monitoring system and the controller. Other partners in the project are from France, Greece, Rumania and Turkey.

“Our goal is to develop a telemonitoring system of the highest medical quality in order to offer patients secondary preventive care with medical supervision in their accustomed home environment following the in-patient phase,” explains Dr. Detlev Willemsen, senior consultant of the rehabilitation ward at the Schüchtermann Clinic.

After a heart attack, post-hospital rehabilitation is a proven and effective process for patients, but also cost-intensive. However, the obvious goal of reducing the number of days of in-patient rehabilitation treatment should not affect the quality of the treatment. The period following the in-patient rehabilitation is decisive for the long-term success of a cardiologic interventional or surgical treatment. The patient must take measures to support secondary prevention and prevent a relapse.



The goal is telemedical care at home
One of the primary goals of this EU project is the development of a telemedical system for out-patient rehabilitation and subsequent long-term prevention for patients after an acute myocardial attack, based on the current treatment standards and guidelines of the medical associations and as a supplement to the services of the “out-patient heart groups,” which are currently being used by more than 200 former patients in the Schüchtermann Clinic alone.



The telemedical care program
Selected test persons participating in the “Saphire” project receive special telemedical equipment consisting of a modified bicycle ergometer, which can be operated interactively by the test person. During the training, the clinical data (EKG, blood pressure, oxygen content of the blood, etc.) is recorded continuously and transmitted to the clinic via the Internet. The training program and the individual intensity of the training can be monitored and controlled by doctors at the clinic. The tele-rehabilitation system will be tested in a clinical study with patients after completion of the experimental phase.

An important component of the secondary prevention of cardiovascular illnesses is a regular physical training program, preferably in the form of heart frequency controlled aerobic endurance training. The members of the international consortium are therefore taking advantage of the conference at the Schüchtermann Clinic to further concretize the technical details of the platform and therefore to implement “tele-rehabilitation” as quickly as possible in the interest of improved patient care.

If the system proves itself, telemonitoring can also be used for people suffering from diabetes, overweight and cardiac insufficiency, and as an enhancement to leisure and competitive sports activities. It is important to note that these services can at best supplement, but not replace, patient care by a general practitioner or specialist. “We are at the beginning of a very innovative and forward-looking development for patients in cardiologic rehabilitation and prevention, which we at the Schüchtermann Clinic want to support and promote,” Dr. Willemsen states.