CARMEL, Ind. -- A Carmel home health-care agency is allowing some of its patients to perform their own daily medical checkups with an in-home system that transmits data to clinicians.

Nightingale Home Healthcare says the HomMed Home Monitoring System is convenient for patients who need to be monitored closely by doctors and nurses.

The device can collect several types of data such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, body weight, and body temperature. With a press of a button, a patient sends the information to Nightingale via a phone line or digital wireless technology.

Clinicians review the information and direct medical attention to patients who require it.

"What it means for patients is hopefully keeping them out of the hospital. That's our biggest focus," said Lieann Wade, a registered nurse with Nightingale. "If we can find a problem, we correct it before it gets too bad."

The device is used at home, sparing patients some travel to clinics or doctor offices.

Use of the unit costs $8 to $10 per day, a charge that can be covered through Medicare.

The device is made by HomMed LCC of Brookfield, Wis.

For more information on Nightingale, call (317) 334-7777 or visit its Web site.