Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology is used for a multitude of reasons, most notably within the call and contact center industry. Regardless, these solutions have been expanding to accommodate a wide range of consumer needs, which now apparently entails weight management.

Authentidate (News - Alert) Holding Corp., a provider of Web-based software applications and telehealth products and services for healthcare organizations, has revealed that after a required testing period to meet all criteria and needs, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has successfully completed the test-in phase for its IVR vital signs monitoring solution and Web service. The new monitoring solution will be used with the VA’s weight management protocol – TeleMOVE.

But how will this work? I don’t know about you, but I surely have never heard of such an initiative before. While it is certainly innovative, it seems hard to comprehend. The VA has announced that it has given approval for its facilities nationwide to both order and use these IVR solutions for its TeleMOVE patients. The facilities can additionally use the IVR solution on a stand-alone basis or in combination with Authentidate’s Electronic House Call (EHC) device to help patients that require a flexible, mobile solution to manage their weight, according to the VA TeleMOVE care program guidelines.

Furthermore, the IVR solution works to provide VA clinicians with a unique new way to remotely monitor their mobile patients, thus enhancing patient care in their national Care Coordination Home Telehealth program. Clinicians are able to use the IVR solution to remotely monitor their patients’ vital signs to gather qualitative health information – an easy, modern and convenient alternative to traditional in-person visits. Clinicians can also review their patients’ remote monitoring session results securely via Authentidate’s Web-based application to remotely manage or adjust such things as their patients’ care plans and medication reminders.

"Authentidate is very pleased that the VA has approved the national rollout of our IVR solution with TeleMOVE,” said VP of Business Development at Authentidate, Gavin Stewart. “We believe that the other DMPs which are currently being pilot tested will be approved for national deployment in the near future and that our IVR solution provides a significant growth opportunity for our company. We continue to work closely with the VA to provide cost-effective solutions to help support their efforts to deliver the best health care for our veterans."

Who knows what’s next for this rapidly evolving, adaptable technology?