Ways to Integrate Remote Patient Monitoring Data to Improve Health Outcomes

RPM enables clinicians to communicate with patients from the comfort of the patient's home, removing logistical challenges and the need to take time off work to make appointments.

Fremont, CA: Remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices are increasingly being used by healthcare organizations to track a patient's health post-procedure. Typically, this occurs in emergency situations or for the management of chronic diseases. The information gathered can keep clinicians up to date on a variety of metrics, including weight, blood oxygen, blood sugar, heart rate, and more.

RPM benefits patients by improving health outcomes and providing a better patient experience. RPM enables clinicians to communicate with patients from the comfort of the patient's home, removing logistical challenges and the need to take time off work to make appointments. It also enables healthcare providers to reach people in limited access to healthcare.

Data must be collected securely and properly integrated into an organization's existing data management system to create a successful RPM program. This enables clinicians to delve deeper into the data using analytics or artificial intelligence, which can help prevent serious health problems from arising.

Keys to Remote Patient Monitoring Program Success

The first steps in developing a successful RPM program are to enlist the support of physicians 

and clinicians, as well as to ensure that the organization's IT systems are capable of supporting an RPM solution. Is it possible to integrate the EHR with the care management software? Who will manage and support that integration in the short and long term? These are the questions that must be answered before launching an RPM program.

Some patients will require continuous monitoring for chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure or COPD, whereas others will require less frequent or shorter monitoring. Healthcare providers must properly categorize patients and collect data.

It is also critical to evaluate RPM devices before selecting one for the program to ensure that it is user-friendly for patients. If patients are not comfortable using a device throughout the entire care cycle, it may go unused or be used incorrectly, which may have a negative impact on the patient's outcome or experience. Once the patient receives the kit, the device or wearable should be ready to use, and the healthcare organization must decide who will assist the patient if problems with the technology arise.

Healthcare is becoming more consumer-centric, with many patients now using monitoring devices like the Fitbit or Apple Watch. Now that many patients are at ease with telehealth, they are more likely to expect — or demand — RPM services when necessary. Health systems that do not offer RPM will almost certainly fall behind the curve.