Remote patient monitoring is a high-tech approach in healthcare.

    Remote patient monitoring is a system that allows healthcare professionals to monitor and manage patients from a distance. There are several methods for monitoring patients. RPM is approved to treat both chronic and acute conditions, but it is most commonly used to treat chronic ones.

    Remote patient monitoring is a useful tool for healthcare providers. It aids in the treatment of 'patients' diseases by providing real-time updates on a patient's condition, as well as reducing the workload for healthcare professionals. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) enables patients to use a mobile medical device to perform routine tests and transmit test results to a physician in real time without having to visit the office. The doctor can go over the data and, if necessary, change the patient's treatment plan. RPM can help doctors manage patients who have chronic conditions like high blood pressure, COPD, and diabetes, as well as those who have pacemakers or defibrillators implanted. RPM also includes wearable electronic devices for consumer or medical use.

Multiple symptoms and conditions will track through remote patient monitoring, including:

• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Heart failure
• Kidney disease
• Obesity
• Pain management
• Weight loss or gain
• Heart conditions
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Sleep apnea
• Asthma

These are the devices that collect various types of health data.

Cuff for measuring blood pressure

    A patient's heart rate and blood flow in artery motion are computed using blood pressure cuffs. The Bluetooth blood pressure cuff sends data to the clinician in real-time for review.

Glucometers

    Glucometers test a small drop of blood from a patient on a test strip that is connected to the device. The reading is then sent to the provider in real-time for review.

Oximeter (Pulse Oximeter)

    The pulse oximeter measures the amount of oxygen in a patient's blood. It is a non-invasive clip is clipped to the patient's finger (or sometimes earlobe) to measure blood oxygen levels. It also keeps track of the patient's pulse.

ECG + Stethoscope

    An ECG monitors heart function, whereas a stethoscope records heart and lung sounds. The traditional method of transporting Mobile ECG devices is out of date. There are advanced technology devices that capture heart, lung sounds, and ECG, providing the quickest and most comprehensive view of the patient's cardiopulmonary function. This device performs quick, accurate, and simple screenings at the point of care, during a personal visit, or from the patient's home.

    Wearables (Fitbit) (Activity Trackers and Continuous Monitoring) Devices such as wristwatches track their patients' steps, heart rate, risk of falling, and even sleep. It transmits the patient's routine day-to-day activities to the provider, allowing the provider to assess how the patient's daily activities affect his or her health and symptoms. Treatment will be modified based on the data. The Fitbit is a fitness tracker.

Thermometer

    A Bluetooth thermometer provides a quick and accurate picture of the patient's fever (body temperature). Bluetooth thermometers of various types are available on the market. These are digital and non-contact thermometers that are commonly worn on the forehead and scan the body temperature.

 Scale  

    Scale With a Bluetooth-connected scale, the patient can track changes in their weight with a Bluetooth-enabled scale, and the provider will monitor and intervene if necessary. Patients with Congestive Heart Failure frequently experience water retention due to weight fluctuations. Because weight gain can worsen CHF, the provider must be able to detect weight changes and provide assistance.

    Bluetooth scales are essential for self-management in obese patients, motivating them to act responsibly and change their behavior. Obesity is a major risk factor for a variety of conditions, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer, so it must be closely monitored.

    Patients will take physiological readings at home using devices (defined as medical devices by the FDA). Devices can transmit data to your HIPAA-compliant RPM software via cellular or Bluetooth technology. The clinical monitoring team can then analyze the data and communicate with patients directly through the platform. You can record the patient's readings. When a patient's reading is above or below a certain threshold, your team will be notified in real-time.

Consider the following factors when using Remote Patient Monitoring Services.

    Providers who use telemedicine in any capacity, including remote patient monitoring, should develop a comprehensive set of protocols that define operating hours and describe how telemedicine services are delivered. The protocols should state when, how often, and who will be reviewing the data. Who takes over if the designated person is unable to do so? Protocols should also include guidelines for physician notification.

    Patients should be educated about the limitations of remote monitoring and physician/provider "available hours" (and possibly required to sign an acknowledgment). The patient must understand that remote monitoring has limitations and that data review will take time, just like emailing a practice with questions or concerns.

    Patients should be taught what an emergency reading is and how to react to one (i.e., call 9-1-1, go to the emergency department, etc.).

    Patients should be informed about the dangers of a remote device failing or malfunctioning, as well as the dangers of malware jeopardizing the device's effectiveness and patient privacy.

    These educational components should be documented in the medical record, either in writing or through discussion documentation. A written acknowledgment should include patient education on the operation of remote monitoring, as well as its limitations and warnings.

    Some telemedicine platforms let providers control when patients can send data to them. Others enable providers to tailor the timing of transmissions for each patient in order to avoid random submissions when providers are unable to monitor the system. If patients are permitted to transmit information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providers will be responsible for developing and implementing a process for evaluating this data promptly to avoid treatment delays.

Things to consider by the Providers:

    Include telemedicine equipment in your organization's security risk assessment and security management plan. Ensure that all employees who participate in telemedicine/remote monitoring services have received telemedicine-specific health care privacy and security training.

    Check to see if Business Associate Agreements are required. Examine the compliance of all parties involved in the provision of services, including any vendors, with federal and state privacy and confidentiality laws. Require telemedicine vendors to hold their subcontractors accountable and provide proof of compliance upon request.

    To discuss any telemedicine-related changes in your practice, contact your medical liability carrier. 

Staff for remote patient monitoring

    A formal diagnosis is not required for RPM. A physician or ordering provider can order remote monitoring for any patient who would benefit from it. 

New healthcare strategies are required for the future.

    While there is an increasing demand for telehealth and remote patient monitoring, there is a critical nurse shortage and integration challenges that must be addressed to drive growth. The current nursing shortage is caused by high demand and a low supply of workers, according to the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences. As a result of the pandemic and manual documentation challenges, nurses are stressed and overworked, which has a direct and negative impact on job performance and patient safety.

    New strategies are required to help providers avoid interruptions in patient care while also reducing nurse burnout. What exactly is remote patient monitoring, and how is its success measured?

    Providers should consider patient outcomes, reimbursement, RPM service fees, and staffing costs when calculating the return on investment for RPM programs. According to Dr. Joseph Kvedar, Founder and Director of the Center of Connected Health, one telehealth nurse can manage between 80 and 100 patients with acute illnesses. Providers can estimate RPM program staffing costs by dividing an RN's annual salary by 80 to 100 to get a staffing cost per patient.

    The remote patient monitoring business model at WebCareHealth takes into account equipment costs, service levels, and customer personnel. Providers must enroll 91 patients on the WebCareHealth platform for $75,000 ($6,250 per month) to cover annual RN costs. In short, remote patient monitoring quickly pays for itself. If you don't have time for a nurse, WebCareHealth can assist with care coordination.

    Remote patient monitoring is developing technology with a wide range of applications. It has been used in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and home health care. Several mobile apps and websites provide remote patient monitoring.