The California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) recently announced that it has awarded Philips Medical Systems, Andover, Mass, a group purchasing organization contract for telehealth products and services. CAHSAH is the leading statewide home care association in the country, representing more than 400 providers in California.

"Remote patient monitoring has the potential to change how the home care industry does business," said CAHSAH president Joe Hafkenschiel. "Telehealth offers the opportunity to address some of the global issues of home care providers simultaneously: staff shortage/productivity and patient compliance/wellness."

Philips will provide a comprehensive telehealth program to CAHSAH members, including wireless telemonitoring measurement devices, robust clinical content, innovative pricing models and wide-ranging service delivery and implementation support.

"We are pleased to offer a comprehensive telehealth solution as a GPO vendor to CAHSAH, who has recognized the potential for remote monitoring and early intervention to decrease readmissions and emergency care," said Mike Lemnitzer, senior director for Philips Consumer Healthcare Soltuions. "We look forward to working with CAHSAH to deliver a telehealth program designed around the needs of both clinicians and patients: wireless telemonitoring devices, robust Web-based assignment tools, and validated clinical content."