China 3G Mobile Health Project for Patients with CVD

Qualcomm, through its Wireless Reach? initiative, and Life Care Networks, along with the Community Health Association of China, launched the Wireless Heart Health project for the prevention and care of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in underserved communities in China. Using China Telecom's 3G EV-DO wireless network, this project aims to explore a new healthcare solution to enhance the CVD diagnosis and prevention capabilities of community health clinics in China.
 According to the WHO, chronic diseases, such as CVDs, place a grave economic burden on countries. CVD is the leading cause of death in China, responsible for about 3 million deaths a year. With a grant from Wireless Reach, the Wireless Heart Health project is deploying a 3G-enabled cardiovascular screening and monitoring system, developed by Life Care Networks, for resource-scarce community health clinics in Shandong, Anhui, and Sichuan provinces as well as in the Chongqing municipality. Community Health Association of China is assisting in clinic selection, project implementation, and impact analysis.
 The new 3G system includes smartphones with built-in ECG sensors, Web-based electronic medicals record software, and 3G wireless workstations located within the clinics. Each workstation includes a computer terminal with Internet access, providing healthcare workers with instant access to electronic patient records, including ECG data. The project also includes training sessions for all participating community health center clinicians.
 In this project, smartphones automatically send patient data, over China Telecom's 3G network, for real-time analysis to a cardiac specialist in the Beijing Life Care Networks Call Center. Doctors provide real-time feedback to patients and clinic staff via SMS or a phone call. The call center is staffed by 30 physicians and provides round-the-clock services, including remote monitoring, diagnosis, clinician consultation, and treatment. For patients with simple cases, physicians in the call center can provide services remotely, while patients with more complex cases are referred to specialty hospitals for further testing or to receive treatment. Patients also have the opportunity to rent the cardiovascular-sensing smartphones to take home for monitoring their heart data whenever and wherever symptoms arise.
 "3G wireless technologies offer new channels for improving access to healthcare, particularly within underserved communities. The Wireless Heart Health project will enable health workers in China's community clinics to treat more patients efficiently and effectively and improve lives. This project is a clear example of how 3G can extend the reach of medical specialists into underserved areas," said Shawn A. Covell, Vice President for Qualcomm Government Affairs.
 With the development of 3G technology, remote healthcare solutions are expected to enable China's basic medical services to achieve significant development and benefit patients with CVD," said Meng Yu, President of Life Care Networks.
 This project enables community healthcare workers to remotely monitor and access patient's ECG data in real time as well as easily communicate with cardiac specialists. It will have a very positive impact on CVD prevention and enhance the health of community residents," said Wang Wei, Deputy Secretary General of Community Health Association of China.