The Remote Programming Connection

While outreach programs are effective at bringing communities together, Abbott's innovative technology can bring medical care directly to people. For numerous conditions, these tools can be used to diagnose and treat patients down the street or far away, bringing specialized healthcare to places it has never been.

Chronic pain and movement disorder patients, using Abbott neuromodulation devices, may require adjustments to treatment programs from their physicians. Abbott remote technology, such as NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic, used with our devices, helps connect caregivers with patients who, because of distance or travel limitations, would otherwise have trouble receiving this care.

Until Virtual Clinic was introduced, patients had to make appointments for office visits and then travel to locations that could be hundreds of miles away in certain cases, requiring multi-day trips for a short appointment. Patients with conditions that make it especially difficult to travel, such as Parkinson's, can now have virtual office visits as well as real-time adjustments made to their neuromodulation devices from anywhere with a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.*

In addition to the convenience of the care, the targeted treatment afforded by Virtual Clinic is adjustable to a patient’s specific use case. If a person is experiencing new or different types of pain, adjustments can still be made remotely. The same is true if more or less intensity is required, or a different stimulation program is introduced.

Other medical conditions, such as diabetes and cardiac issues, have Abbott remote programming applications. These continuing advancements set the stage for a time when neither distance, nor impairment, will limit specialized care options.

Returning Healthy Life to the "Deserts"

Care deserts, whether brought on by location, economics or any number of other factors, have traditionally had the same impact: Denying certain people the opportunity to receive the highest quality, most comprehensive healthcare available.

While the Central Valley provides a lush, rural home to its residents, that means little if they are not well enough to live long, healthy lives.

We are determined to decrease the impact of these deserts by bringing high-quality care and innovative remote technology to people and places that have never had it before.

The need is great and the areas often immense, but the first step in meeting this problem is to step up to it.

"These patients have a massive unmet need. We have a responsibility to serve as many as possible, irrespective of status or location. We can't forget them and just treat those who walk in our doors," O'Banion said. "We need to be more aware and make a commitment.

"If we each do a little, we can do a lot."

*Anywhere with a cellular or Wi-Fi connection and sufficiently charges patient controller.