Improve Operations and Promote Retention with Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

RPM (Remote Patient Monitoring) Programs are sweeping the nation as the newest and most logical way to help treat patients at home to deliver the highest quality of care for the lowest cost. Home health and hospice agencies are beginning to adopt the process of RPM at a growing rate, as it enables flexibility in treatment and care that many patients need and providers/caregivers crave. Following we will discuss what remote patient monitoring is, reasons to consider adopting it within your organization, and tools to assist with providing care through an RPM model.n

What is Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)?

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) involves physiological monitoring of medical conditions via digital technologies that can be used while a patient is at home or off site. These medical tools generate data that can then be transferred to the physicians and caregivers working on a patient’s care so that they can determine the most appropriate care and treatment plan. Since the COVID-19 health crisis, RPM has gained in popularity, although it was used widely prior as well. It is now becoming the new standard of care for many patients who prefer a more flexible option than traditional care offers.

Reasons to Adopt Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

Remote patient monitoring benefits both patients and caregivers alike, providing flexibility and the ability to monitor declining conditions around the clock to assess new or better treatment options based on any changes in condition. In addition, it provides the ability for caregivers to still access their patients from a remote distance, in the event that they contract a highly contagious illness like COVID-19. Detailed information on the patients is maintained even after assessments are made, which can be incredibly beneficial to evaluating the efficacy of treatments as well as keeping up to date on a patient’s overall health outside of a hospital setting. It also enables patients to access care more quickly. Patients also are able to take ownership of their own health more effectively through this system.

A few of the highlights that have been cited by those who have adopted RPM include:

• Improved Staff Satisfaction
• Improved Outcomes for Patients
• More Data on Patients that can be Used to Develop Care Plans
• Improves Rates of Compliance with Treatment Recommendations

Tools to Assist with Remote Patient Monitoring

When adopting an RPM model, it is important to outfit your home health or hospice agency with the appropriate tools to succeed in this type of environment. This will include a software program with RPM capabilities, as well as any equipment that the patient needs to evaluate their ongoing medical condition. Some of these pieces of equipment may include a blood pressure monitor, weight monitor, blood glucose monitor, spirometer, and other important technology specific to the patient’s condition.