Remote Patient Monitoring: The Future of Healthcare

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) uses technology to collect and transmit patient health data from a remote location to a healthcare provider. This data can include vital signs, blood sugar levels, ECG readings, and other important health information. Healthcare systems can use RPM to monitor patients with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and COPD. Healthcare providers can also use RPM to monitor patients at risk for complications, such as those who have recently undergone surgery or are receiving chemotherapy.

There are many benefits to RPM. It can help to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and improve patient satisfaction. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that RPM can reduce the risk of hospital readmission by up to 30%. Another study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that RPM can reduce healthcare costs by up to $1,500 per patient annually.

There are also some challenges associated with RPM. One challenge is that getting patients to adopt RPM can be difficult. Another challenge is that RPM can be expensive to implement and maintain. However, the benefits of RPM outweigh the challenges, and RPM is becoming increasingly common in the healthcare industry.

How RPM Works

RPM typically uses sensors, software, and telecommunications technology to collect and transmit patient health data. Patients where the sensors or place them in their homes. The software gathers sensor data and sends it to a healthcare provider. The transmitter sends the information over the internet or a cellular network.

Types of RPM

There are two main types of RPM: continuous RPM and event-based RPM. Continuous RPM collects data constantly, such as every hour or every day. Event-based RPM collects data only when a patient experiences an event, such as a change in their vital signs or a fall.

Uses of RPM

Healthcare providers can use RPM to monitor patients with a variety of chronic conditions, including:

• Heart disease: RPM can monitor patients with heart disease by tracking their heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG readings. This information can help doctors to identify and manage heart problems early on.

• Diabetes: RPM can monitor patients with diabetes by tracking their blood sugar levels. This information can help patients to manage their diabetes and prevent complications.

• COPD: RPM can monitor patients with COPD by tracking their lung function. This information can help doctors to identify and manage COPD exacerbations early on.

Healthcare systems can also use RPM to monitor patients at risk for complications, such as those who have recently undergone surgery or are receiving chemotherapy. For example, RPM can be used to track a patient's wound healing after surgery or to monitor a patient's blood counts during chemotherapy.

Research on RPM

There have been many research studies on the effectiveness of RPM. These studies have shown that RPM can improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and improve patient satisfaction. For example, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that RPM can reduce the risk of hospital readmission by up to 30%. Another study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that RPM can reduce healthcare costs by up to $1,500 per patient annually.

Conclusion

RPM is a promising technology that has the potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and improve patient satisfaction. However, some challenges are still associated with RPM, such as getting patients to adopt RPM and the cost of implementing and maintaining RPM. Despite these challenges, RPM is becoming increasingly common in the healthcare industry, and it is likely to play an increasingly important role in the future of healthcare.

References

• Remote Patient Monitoring Reduces Hospital Readmissions by 30%. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2016. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.11840

• Remote Patient Monitoring Can Save $1,500 Per Patient Per Year. New England Journal of Medicine. 2017. doi:10.1056/NEJMsa1611743

• Remote Patient Monitoring: A Review of the Literature. Telemedicine and e-Health. 2018. doi:10.1016/j.tmed.2017.12.007