lecommu- nications systems. She is currently working with Sun HomeHealth to study whether the systems can aid nurses in helping patients manage their medica- tions, especially when there is a danger of drug interactions. She also sees the possibility of physical therapists using the system to supervise family members or aides helping patients exercise in their homes. Dieticians could also use the system to supervise meal planning and preparation. 1.11.1 Health Monitoring Sophisticated health monitoring services are beginning to allow patients to receive quality health care even while at home. Companies like Philips Medical Systems are pioneering this field. Philips and HomMed have one objective, although their approaches to in-home health monitoring are differ- ent. HomMed's system is fully wireless, whereas Philips offers a combination wireless-and-wireline configuration. TELEMEDICINE With HomMed's system, a portable instrument console sits in a patient's bedroom or similarly convenient place. The unit accepts plug-in measurement devices that collect patient health data, such as heart rate, blood glucose levels, and body temperature. The information is sent via the SkyTel pager network to a central station located at a hospital or a clinic where a clinician reviews it. A wireline connection is available as a backup. A key reason that HomMed is using wireless technology is that one of every eight patients doesn't have a home phone, according to HomMed CEO Herschel Peddicord. He also cites the technology's portability as a plus. "HomMed's system can be taken on the road and used in a hotel room or a vacation home, which is particularly handy for elderly patients who travel to winter homes," he says. HomMed is confident that wireless is the best way to move patient data from homes to clinicians; however, Philips says the combination wireless-and- wireline approach of its heart-care system is less expensive and more reliable and secure. "Phone lines are highly dependable, service is universal, and we don't have to r