Differential resource utilization benefits with Internet-based care coordination in elderly veterans with chronic diseases associated with high resource utilization.

Our objective was to evaluate in a demonstration project whether our T-Care Program, telecare management via an Internet-based home-messaging device, reduces resource utilization by patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), diabetes mellitus (DM), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Study participants were drawn from a group of high resource-utilizing veterans over age 60 and included 19 patients with CHF, 23 with DM, and 17 with COPD. Data were gathered on hospital admissions, bed days of care (BDOC), outpatient admissions, and emergency department visits 6 months before and 6 months after enrollment in the telecare program.