Business & Finance
Business and Finance
Business and Finance
Wed, October 17, 2012
Tue, October 16, 2012 EasyMed Comments on Publication of Scientific Results of a Large-Scale Trial With the University Hospital of Geneva Concluding
October 16, 2012 14:25 ET
EasyMed Comments on Publication of Scientific Results of a Large-Scale Trial With the University Hospital of Geneva Concluding That the EasyMed Solution Reduced Patient Absenteeism by 27.1%
EasyMed's Easy SmartCare solution demonstrated a significant impact on reducing patient absenteeism in a large-scale trial
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND--(Marketwire - Oct. 16, 2012) - EasyMed Services Inc. (CNSX:EZM)(OTCBB:EMYSF)(MUN:EY6) ("EasyMed" or the "Company") reports the publication by the University Hospital of Geneva (UHG) of a large-scale study performed by the Division of Primary Care Medicine using EasyMed's technology.
The ethics commission of the UHG approved a six-month trial with 5,076 patients to compare the impact of text message appointment reminders versus phone call reminders in an academic primary care clinic. The Company's Easy SmartCare solution was used to send the automated text message reminders for the trial.
Prior to the trial, the subject clinic had an average absenteeism rate of 14%, with peaks in other areas of the hospital of 20%. During the trial, both telephone and text message reminders were shown to significantly reduce the rate of missed appointments (27.1% decrease with text-messages), with a slight difference in favour of the former. However, as automated text messages are far less labour-intensive than phone calls, the overall cost savings broadly favour the Easy SmartCare solution.
A satisfaction survey was conducted with a random sample of 288 patients, none of whom considered the reminders to give them a negative experience. 80% of this sample recommended implementing the reminder system as a permanent feature of the clinic.
"We have always asserted that the effective use of technology will significantly reduce spiraling healthcare costs around the world," stated Dr. Carmelo Bisognano, COO of EasyMed. "We were therefore very interested to take part in this trial with one of the foremost institutions in Europe, the University Hospital of Geneva, and are delighted that the results have validated our own position and that of the hospital in valuing the effectiveness of Easy SmartCare."
Dr. Carmelo Bisognano continued, "missed appointments are a huge source of avoidable costs for the healthcare industry; an American Medical Association study found that 12% of appointments are missed in the US, resulting in a cost of over $7bn annually. Easy SmartCare reduced absenteeism at the University Hospital of Geneva by over a quarter. Applying the same figures to the problem of missed appointments in the US, this would save almost $2bn for the healthcare industry every year. Further, as medical practitioners and patients become more accustomed to the use of technology in this way, and by combining appointment reminders with the other features of Easy SmartCare such as medication reminders, we believe the savings achievable will dramatically increase in the future. It is our goal for EasyMed solutions to drive the realization of these benefits for hospitals and clinics all over the world."
About EasyMed Services Inc.
EasyMed Services Inc. (CNSX:EZM)(OTCBB:EMYSF)(MUN:EY6) is a global medical information technology company delivering an end-to-end patient care solution through mobile phone, PDA and smartphone technologies. To learn more, please visit [ www.EasyMedMobile.com ].
Easy SmartCare
Easy SmartCare allows clinics, hospitals and doctors' practices to communicate with patients through text messages on their smartphones and other mobile devices. Easy SmartCare reduces missed appointments, improves preparation, sends medication reminders and improves overall outpatient management, and clinical trials have shown immediate and positive financial benefits.
Safe Harbour
This news release may contain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance, such as the continuing roll-out of the Company's primary product and the benefits of such products that may be realized by the Company's targeted customers, and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions about such future events or future performance. Forward-looking statements may also include, without limitation, any statement relating to future conditions or circumstances. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company and its management. Investors are cautioned that these forward looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances or to reflect changes in the beliefs or opinions of the Company's management. The CNSX has not reviewed this release and therefore does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
