Continua Health Alliance, the international non-profit open industry alliance of leading healthcare and technology organisations, has been joined by telecare experts Robert Bosch Healthcare.

Bosch Healthcare joins more than 230 leading technology, medical device and healthcare Continua members dedicated to establishing a system of personal connected health and wellness products and services.

Robert Bosch Healthcare established its telehealth systems, including the Bosch Health Buddy Telehealth System and VitelCare product line, with a goal of improving the quality of personal healthcare.

Bosch’s telehealth systems feature a remote monitoring platform that serves as a daily interface between individuals with chronic illnesses, care coordinators and healthcare providers.

As care providers access user data via Bosch’s telehealth systems, they are alerted to warning signs if a user’s health is deteriorating and can actively address gaps in care before that individual’s condition becomes critical.

The combination of Bosch’s experience in advanced sensing and telehealth with Continua’s personal connected health framework is intended to accelerate the adoption of telehealth technology and services by consumers and healthcare providers.

“As the telehealth industry continues to grow, there is an increasing need for global standards that will improve the implementation and ease of telehealth services,” said Derek Newell, president, Robert Bosch Healthcare.

“Our membership in Continua Health Alliance is another important step towards our goal of ensuring that every patient that needs a telehealth system has access to one,” he added.

“By joining Continua and furthering the industry dialogue on standards and interoperability, Bosch will actively work with Continua to improve the quality of healthcare while also reducing the associated costs.”

Chuck Parker, executive director, Continua Health Alliance, said: “Bosch has demonstrated a long-term commitment to personal connected healthcare during the past decade.

Its mission to provide better-quality healthcare while also reducing overall healthcare costs is directly in line with Continua’s mission to promote a system of personal connected healthcare and empower healthcare consumers and healthcare providers to better manage health and wellness.”

Continua Health Alliance has to date developed technical design guidelines, established a product certification program, collaborated with government regulatory agencies and continually worked with leading providers of healthcare products and services.