Bosch Healthcare's Health Buddy System Contract Awarded by Department of Veterans Affairs
* Bosch Healthcare is the leading provider of home telehealth service to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
* New contract expands ten-year relationship with the federal agency, following successful pilot study and initial contract
* Health Buddy System connects patients and care providers on a regular basis to monitor a patient's health and symptoms
Robert Bosch Healthcare Inc., a leader in telehealth systems and a division of the Bosch Group, announced today that it was awarded a new contract for its Health Buddy System by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Bosch Healthcare is the leading provider of home telehealth services to the VA. The Health Buddy System has been used by the agency ever since a four-year pilot study began in 2000 and the nationwide roll-out of telehealth services in 2003. This contract represents a continued relationship with the VA and was one of six contracts awarded following a competitive bid and procurement process.
"Data from the Department of Veterans Affairs demonstrated a 19 percent reduction in hospitalizations and 25 percent reduction in 'bed days of care' for participating patients using home telehealth," said Jasper zu Putlitz, M.D., president of Robert Bosch Healthcare. "We are very pleased that the VA continues to see the value of the Health Buddy System for veterans with chronic and other disease conditions. We have successfully worked in partnership with the VA to provide telehealth solutions at all of its nationwide Veterans Integrated Service Networks, and are committed to providing the VA with technology, tools, and expertise to ensure veterans get the right care in the right place at the right time."
About the Bosch Healthcare Health Buddy System
In use for more than ten years, the Health Buddy System allows patients to take a more active role in monitoring their health and symptoms while at home. Each day its integrated clinical content gives patients a series of personalized questions and useful tips to help take better care of their health. Data generated by the Health Buddy System is sent via a telephone line, wireless modem or Ethernet connection to a secure data center where it is quickly analyzed, to give care providers the opportunity to intervene before a patient's condition becomes critical.
About Bosch:
Robert Bosch Healthcare Inc.is a leading provider of innovative telehealth systems. Bosch's product spectrum ranges from patient terminals to comprehensive evaluation software allowing healthcare professionals to efficiently evaluate the data coming from the patient terminals and other connected devices. Bosch Telehealth strives to improve diagnosis and treatment through systematic patient monitoring and involvement. The result is that health professionals are able to provide a higher quality of care for patients with chronic conditions, patients lead happier and healthier lives, and the cost of healthcare is reduced for funders. Robert Bosch Healthcare, Inc. is a fully-owned subsidiary of the Bosch Group. For more information, go to www.bosch-telehealth.com.
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, some 285,000 associates generated sales of 47.3 billion euros ($62.7 billion) in fiscal 2010. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 350 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Bosch spent 3.8 billion euros (approximately $5 billion) for research and development in 2010, and applied for over 3,800 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial. Bosch is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2011. Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, and http://125.bosch.com.
In the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial drives and control technology, power tools, security and communication systems, packaging technology, thermotechnology, household appliances, solar energy, healthcare and software innovations. Having established a regional presence in 1906, Bosch employs over 22,000 associates in more than 100 locations, with reported sales of $8.8 billion in fiscal 2010. For more information, visit www.boschusa.com.
