Please note this functionality is currently in a pilot testing phase.

Remote physiological monitoring in real time offers numerous benefits for patients and healthcare providers. Patients can be monitored in their own home, reducing the number of in-person visits and clinicians can access real-time health data and be alerted to any potential problems before they become severe.

During a Video Call consultation you can monitor your patient remotely from their Bluetooth enabled monitoring device, for example a pulse oximeter or ECG device. Once you instruct your patient to connect their monitoring device to the Video Call, you will see the results live in the Video Call Screen and can take a screenshot and export the data for the patient records, if desired. Some devices have the ability to record historical data and this can also be accessed remotely, if required. If this functionality is not available on the monitoring device, the button to access history will not display.

✖

Staff sending the appointment information to patients who will be connecting a monitoring device during their Video Call, can use the following recommendations when sending the clinic link and supporting information. These recommendations show how to send links to patients using iPhone/iPad (Bluefy browser link) or Android devices (Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge), to ensure the patient is using a compatible browser for the call.

Instructions for iPhone and iPad (iOS) users: When sending the clinic link to patients, please be aware that some will be attending their appointment using an iOS device. They will need a special link to attend, that will prompt the Bluefy browser to open.   This is easy to create and you can then add to your invitation with clear patient instructions. Your clinic link can be copied or you can send directly from the platform, using SMS or Email.
SMS or Email    When you use this option, the clinic link is automatically added at the bottom of the SMS or Email.   This image shows the default text for invitations (which can be edited to suit the clinic needs).
You can cover all device options by editing the default text and adding the specific link for iPhone/iPad users. This example shows suggested text for remote patient monitoring appointments, including Bluefy browser link for this clinic.    The Bluefy browser allows the patient monitoring device to connect to the call using Bluetooth. The patient will need to install and use the free Bluefy browser app on their device.   To create the Bluefy link, copy your usual clinic link and replace the 'https://' with 'bluefy://open?url='.   Note that I have chosen the SMS option here, as this means attending the appointment is a simple click on their iPhone or iPad.
The usual clinic link will appear at the bottom of the received invitation. Example Bluefy information and link are shown in this example.   Patients can then click on the relevant link that suits their device.   This removes the need to copy and paste the link into the Bluefy browser on iPhone or iPad, which some patients may find challenging.
Some patients may prefer to use the WebBLE Browser on their iPhone or iPad - however Bluefy provides a better user experience and is free to download.   This example shows suggested text for remote patient monitoring appointments, if requiring the WebBLE clinic link.   To create the WebBLE link, copy your usual clinic link and replace the 'https' with 'webble'.   Note that I have chosen the SMS option here, as this means attending the appointment is a simple click on their smart phone.   Please note: the patient will need to install and use the WebBLE browser on their device. This app costs $2.99.	Suggested text in Send SMS function An example of the SMS received by the patient
Instructions for Android users: When sending the clinic link to patients, please be aware that some will be attending their appointment using an Android device. They will need to use the Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser to attend their appointment - so you can let them know this when you send out the appointment information.   Your clinic link can be copied or you can send directly from the platform, using SMS or Email.
SMS or Email    When you use this option, the clinic link is automatically added at the bottom of the SMS or Email.   This image shows the default text for invitations which you can edit to give more specific instructions, if desired.

✖

For clinicians: Real time physiological monitoring instructions

See the simple steps below for instructing your patient to turn on and connect their monitoring device directly into the Video Call consultation.

Join the Video Call with your patient and explain that you will be helping them to connect their monitoring device to the call so you can monitor their results.   Please note: You and your patient must use either the Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser or the Bluefy browserif using an iPhone or iPad (see Bluefy instructions in a separate dropdown on this page).
Click on Apps & Tools and then select Patient Monitoring Device.
You will see a representation of the screen presented to your patient. Please note: this is for your information and you cannot interact with the buttons on this screen.   Ask your patient to turn on their monitoring device and have it ready to use.    Next instruct your patient to click on Click Here to connect to your medical device.
Your patient will see a browser pop-up appear on their screen, allowing them to select their device and then click on Pair. This will connect their monitoring device to the Video Call via Bluetooth.   Please note: this is the view at the patient end.
You will see the results shared into the Call Screen after a few moments. This example shows a pulse oximeter connected to the call and the results showing on the screen.

Information and instructions specific to types of monitoring devices
Please click the tiles below for information regarding how to use the Patient Monitoring Device App to connect a patient's medical device during a Video Call consultation, as well as information regarding browsers and manual entry of results. These links contain information for clinicians and patients specific to the device type, including videos and quick reference guides.

Pulse Oximeters ECG Devices Spirometers Thermometers Blood Pressure Monitors Digital Scales Blood Glucose Devices

Other medical devices integration 

To see other compatible medical devices, such as general examination cameras, scopes and vision glasses, please visit this page. If you would like to discuss the real-time physiological monitoring capability, including integration of other devices, or would like more information, please contact:

• Sam Georgy, Video Call Service Director: sam.georgy@healthdirect.org.au