[Telemedicine support system in home care of patients with chronic respiratory failure: preliminary results].

We report the preliminary results of an advanced telemedicine system for the delivery of home care services. We have been trying out a system for a ternary telemedicine network for remote consultation in patients with chronic respiratory failure. The elements of this system are: the patients at home, the home doctor (and/or community hospital), and an institution with respiratory staff (Shinshu University), which were linked by ISDN lines. The system allows real-time visualization, at home, of the patients and their physiological data, which are transmitted simultaneously to both the community hospital and Shinshu University. Respiratory specialists can advise the home doctor on the treatment and follow-up evaluations of distant patients. We consider that the telemedicine network system has the potential to improve clinical outcomes and to provide home care services to patients with chronic health conditions.