Remote patient monitoring (RPM) technology is one of the tools which hospitals and other healthcare organisations across the world are using to improve results and cut costs. Remote patient monitoring will surely reduce the stress for both service providers and patients, allowing them more flexibility to manage their health more affordably.
A regular relationship with carers and patients is made possible by this kind of patient care, and it gives clinicians access to a continuous supply of real-time health data.
The Remote Patient Monitoring System uses technology to replace traditional medical setting. Now, it is possible to regularly ask a patient for vital information such as their heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, and oxygen levels. The information collected is then immediately sent to the lab for additional research.
Through wearable technology, a remote patient monitoring system can assist in protecting senior citizens and the elderly from potentially fatal accidents. Thus, it can serve as a trustworthy and useful resource for managing patients with chronic illnesses.
RPM equipment is increasingly getting smarter and less expensive. When they start providing their services to consumers, that opens up new potential income channels for gadget makers that previously targeted hospitals and clinics.
Enhanced Accessibility to Care
RPM services do not require virtual visits or active audio-video visits, nor are patients necessary to stay in rural regions, in contrast to other telehealth delivery techniques. They just need technology that collects and processes physiologic data. RPM services are covered by Medicare in the same way as clinical services provided in-person are, with no different limits on use or rules limiting the location of the initial treatment. Additionally, by delaying the onset of more serious and expensive health effects, RPM systems have a tremendous potential to save money.
And according to Research and Markets, the worldwide RPM systems market will be valued over $1.7 billion by 2027, a rise of approximately 128% from the $745.7 million in current market opportunity.
Timely Detection of Health Issues
The internet or the data repository of the medical facility houses the information that is gathered from the patient’s RPM device. The upper and lower (threshold) values established by a doctor are then compared to the vital sign data either automatically or manually. When a certain limit is exceeded, the RPM system at the healthcare institution creates a notice, which informs a doctor to an aberrant scenario and generates a warning message. This doctor notice may come in the form of an email, SMS, or in-app notification.
Many RPM systems in addition include an analytics module that makes use of BI technologies and data visualisation tools to give doctors and patients real-time measurements. The healthcare professional can use these tools to recognise trends and patterns in the patient’s medical data. With the use of this information, medical professionals may identify dangerous situations and effects and decide on the most appropriate course of action.
Timely Detection of Health Issues
The benefits of RPM extend beyond just beneficial advancements. The treatment approach may be helpful in removing limits associated with social determinants of health, or social factors that have negative effects on health.
Transportation is a significant socioeconomic barrier that prevents individuals from obtaining care. In fact, the American Hospital Association estimates that 3.6 million Americans are unable to access medical treatment because of transportation issues.
Limited access to automobiles, faulty infrastructure, great distances and long travel times to services, as well as high transportation expenses, are all examples of transportation challenges.
“Inherently, we all know that remote patient monitoring can eliminate that [transport] barrier as we are meeting patients where they are,” said Julie Henry, chief operating officer of digital medicine at New Orleans-based Ochsner Health, during a mHealthIntelligence webinar last year. Technology, digital reach, telephonic intervention, or encrypted messaging and chatting can be that touchpoint rather than requiring [patients] to physically visit a location.
Through the extra connections offered by RPM, health systems are also given access to more data on the lives of their patients, enabling clinical teams to change therapies in line with social determinants of health.
Final Opinion
In the past few years, RPM usage has dramatically increased. In a study conducted by the American Medical Association, 20% of physicians, or twice as many as in 2018, indicated they utilised RPM. One-third of the doctors using RPM were specialists, with cardiologists making up the majority (63.3%) and endocrinologists and diabetic experts making up the majority (41.6%).
Three out of five US individuals support RPM, and nearly half support implementing it into medical treatment, according to another survey that surveyed 300 Americans in May of last year. RPM is likely to remain popular, according to these facts. Providers are advocating for its increased use as a result.
