Trying to talk about Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) can be like talking about math. We’re all familiar with what it is, but there are so many different avenues that it can take, that it honestly works best to divide it into pieces, just like how math is divided into algebra, geometry, theoretical, etc. This was made clear when we reached out to our lovely Healthcare IT Today community for their insights on RPM.
So that is what we are going to do today. The following is what they had to say on RPM, divided into the many different avenues we need to be using in order to properly discuss RPM.
Patient Care Experience
Kyle Ryan, Chief Technology Officer at Tebra
As telehealth continues to expand, Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is becoming a more widely used option to improve the patient care experience, and better connect providers with patients outside the doctor’s office. For example, a provider can use RPM to better manage the care of a patient with kidney issues or diabetes, receiving more regular updates on important activities or vital signs to diagnose and treat emergent or changing conditions much more quickly. Integrating the EHR into the RPM system will bridge communication gaps and promote interoperability.
How to be Successful in RPM
C Stavridis, VP of Product at CareSignal, a Lightbeam company
The key to a successful remote patient monitoring (RPM) strategy is to implement low-stress solutions for both the patient and provider. Staffing shortages and elevated staff burnout are creating a tinderbox for organizations; on the other side of the RPM equation, patients are experiencing stressors ranging from chronic illness to economic insecurity and social vulnerabilities. Acquiring RPM solutions that reduce staff burdens, streamline outreach, and don’t require patients to familiarize themselves with new technology will generate buy-in from all parties, rather than contribute to the persistent staffing issues faced by the industry. This is a win-win: Providers will have the scalability to extend their reach without increasing their workloads, while patients receive the direct, convenient engagement they need to better manage their conditions.
Josh Klein, CEO at Emerest
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is only as effective as the engagement of the person using it. You can have the most state-of-the-art technology informed by the world’s top medical professionals, but if you don’t build a system that is tailored to and customized by the user then it will have limited impact on patient well-being. So, the first step of any RPM program is to secure direct input and buy-in from your user base.
Accept that one size doesn’t fit all and find the answers to critical questions for understanding your clients – how do they engage socially? What are their social and cultural norms? What is their current level of digital engagement? Only by taking an integrative approach to health and digging into the specific values, needs, and communications styles of your client base can you then build an RPM program that people will engage with and benefit from.
Omri Shor, Co-founder and CEO at Medisafe
The key to making remote patient monitoring a success for patients is focusing on the patient and provide genuinely helpful information to patients. RPM technology can empower patients with more information about their own health and give them more access to communication with their provider – but if it is a burden for patients to use, it ultimately is not helpful to them. Healthcare organizations must keep the patient experience top of mind when it comes to the development and implementation of an RPM program to ensure long term engagement.
Adi Chandrasekhar, Medical Director at Primary.Health and Physician at Fenway Health
The current ‘tripledemic’ is an excellent example of how remote patient monitoring (RPM) programs can augment traditional healthcare facilities that are stretched thin. RPM frees up time for physicians to prioritize critical cases, reduces the risk of infection transmission, and offers patients the flexibility to manage their care at home on their terms. For these programs to remain successful beyond acute needs, long-term buy-in from critical stakeholders, including healthcare providers, payors and most importantly, patients, is needed.
For patients, it is best to have messages about remote patient monitoring programs delivered by someone they trust and have a relationship with: their primary care physician (PCP). PCP’s are uniquely placed to showcase the value that these programs can have on their patient populations, including mitigating healthcare inequities by expanding access to patients in rural or remote communities where traditional healthcare facilities can be fewer and farther.
Efficiency in RPM
Harshit Jain, Founder and Global CEO at Doceree
There are various steps involved in making remote patient monitoring efficient: The first and foremost step would be to set program objectives. This is followed by establishing an engaging program design. There should be complete clarity between the staff about the devices involved and the science behind the technology that is being used for the RPM. Lastly, it is essential to note the complete performance assessment and evaluate the outcomes and impact of the program.
The best-of-breed approach is more complicated than having an RPM platform approach as it involves adopting specialized solutions from many vendors and then integrating them. RPM platforms can be deployed across the organization, making it comparatively hassle-free. Enrollment of the patient into the program entails their registration in the technology solution that will be used for program management and the collection and review of device data.
Selecting devices that can be used by patients in the program will likely be informed by several variables, including compatibility with the electronic health record or program platform, device features, availability, ease of use and cost. Outreach to patients who are good candidates for the RPM program, based on the previously developed inclusion criteria, provides the first opportunity to engage possible enrollees, and share information about the goals of the program and why the practice or the patient’s provider believes they will benefit.
Staff Applications
John Guiliana, Medical Director of Podiatry at ModMed
RPM is only becoming more innovative. In podiatry, where our diabetic population suffer from risks that are predominantly modifiable through engagement, we’re seeing the implementation of new tools such as smart insoles that help diabetes patients monitor and manage their health. This technology will evolve from novelty to necessity in the near future and physician practices need to have a data system that can aggregate and interpret information from these kinds of wearable medical devices.
Kimberly O’Loughlin, Chief Executive Officer at HRS
The time has come for remote patient monitoring. Simply put, RPM is about optimizing care delivery with connected care technology in lower cost remote care settings. Patients want to be engaged in their care and leverage technology; providers continue to struggle with shortages, inefficient workflows and burnout; and the healthcare system is confronted with untenable rising costs of care fueled by a rapidly aging demographic. RPM alleviates these issues! We’ve seen fewer hospital readmissions, increased patient engagement/satisfaction and lower total costs of care, and these results lead to widespread adoption. The time is now.
Jake Sattelmair, EVP & General Manager at Wellframe
RPM receives a lot of attention in the context of provider CPT code reimbursement or value-based contracts. But health plans have a huge opportunity to harness member health and activity data more effectively to better understand member needs, inform supportive interventions, and more successfully manage–and improve–risk across populations. These data can be used to strengthen caring relationships between plan staff and members, match members to the right resources, and flag risk of decompensation to allow for more proactive interventions.
Truly fascinating how many ways there are to think, discuss, and utilize RPM. Thank you to everyone that shared their insights with us! And feel free to share what your insights are too! Comment down below on what you think about RPM.
