Wellinks to expand virtual COPD management program in US
Collaboration with Careabout Health to bring services to New Jersey, Florida
Wellinks, which bills itself as a digital healthcare company, has announced that it will partner with Careabout Health to introduce its virtual chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management program to the New Jersey and Florida markets.
The COPD management program involves virtual pulmonary rehabilitation, remote monitoring, and ongoing care management — all with a goal of improving patient outcomes while reducing the burden on healthcare systems, according to a Wellinks press release. By collaborating with Careabout’s providers, Wellinks said it expects to help establish COPD management strategies in these U.S. regions.
“We are excited to partner with Careabout Health to expand access to our comprehensive COPD management services,” said Stacie Bratcher, CEO at Wellinks. “Together, we can proactively manage patient health, prevent costly acute care episodes, and make high-quality, personalized care accessible to more people in New Jersey and Florida.”
COPD management program aims to improve care while reducing costs
COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease in which the airways become blocked, causing symptoms such as chronic cough, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Patients are susceptible to frequent respiratory infections. Symptoms become evident when significant lung damage has occurred, and usually worsen with time.
The disease symptoms can be managed with medications like bronchodilators that help relax the airways and make it easier to breathe, and with pulmonary rehabilitation, which combines exercise training with education. Both can improve lung function and patients’ quality of life. In some cases, patients may need oxygen therapy to increase their blood oxygen levels.
Wellinks’ virtual COPD management program combines technology with personalized care, allowing for early intervention and reducing hospitalizations, per the company.
The program provides services like virtual pulmonary rehabilitation that is instantly accessible, and empowers patients with personalized care and self-management tools, addressing symptoms before they get worse.
Patients receive a complimentary welcome kit with Wellink’s mobile app, a nebulizer to administer inhaled medication, and easy-to-use devices to monitor lung health. Such devices include a spirometer, which assesses the volume of inhaled and exhaled air, and a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen levels.
By integrating Wellinks’ virtual COPD management into our care model, we can provide patients with the support they need to manage their condition more effectively while having the convenience of choosing their location, ultimately improving their quality of life and reducing avoidable hospital visits.
Data from a small pilot study involving older COPD patients showed that most participants agreed that the Wellinks’ app was easy to use and valuable for managing their symptoms. Also, the majority reported that being able to evaluate lung function at home was useful.
Participants may also receive individualized coaching for managing their symptoms, and may join virtual support group sessions. They also have access to a nurse triage line 24/7, through phone or video calls or text messages whenever they need assistance.
According to the company, the program has been shown to reduce emergency visits by 44% and hospitalizations by half, while also reducing the need for readmissions by 64%.
Daniel Fabius, senior vice president of clinical, value-based care operation, and lead physician informaticist at Careabout Health, said this partnership “aligns perfectly” with the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality care.
“By integrating Wellinks’ virtual COPD management into our care model, we can provide patients with the support they need to manage their condition more effectively while having the convenience of choosing their location, ultimately improving their quality of life and reducing avoidable hospital visits,” Fabius said.
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