A medical clinic in Sacramento is using inhalers equipped with GPS tracking capabilities to track pollen danger zones and asthma attacks.
In a clinical trial now underway at Woodland Healthcare, doctors are using a medication sensor attached to an asthma inhaler (equipped with GPS tracking technology) to track when and where patients are using their inhalers.
When a patient pushes the inhaler button, the device delivers a shot of medication, and triggers a sensor equipped with GPS tracking technology that records when and where the inhaler was used.
Then it automatically sends the information in real-time to their doctor.
Why is this important for asthma sufferers? Studies show only one-quarter of asthma sufferers in the U.S. correctly manage their disease, reported KCRA News.
It is important for patients to identify which activities, events or locations trigger an asthma attack.
In the study, this information is tracked and automatically sent to a patient’s doctor to help him look for patterns. This helps patients and doctors work together to manage their asthma.
Asthma is a chronic disease. It has to be cared for all the time—not just when symptoms are present. People with asthma can learn to identify and avoid the things that trigger an episode, and educate themselves about medications and other asthma management strategies.
The clinical trial is accepting applications for participants until June.
